A retired Nigerian army general was killed while held captive, the military said after a bungled kidnapping in the country’s north‑west.
Maj‑Gen Rabe Abubakar, who served as the army’s spokesman from 2015 to 2017, was seized along with his wife and driver during a trip in Katsina state. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.
The incident comes amid a surge of “bandit” attacks in the region, with criminal gangs routinely kidnapping civilians, raiding cattle and targeting rural communities for ransom. Jihadist militants are also active in neighboring states, prompting occasional military strikes.
Prior to his death, footage surfaced on social media showing Abubakar and his wife in captivity, with an apparent injury on his left leg. The military has not released details on the circumstances of his death, but confirmed that he died while still in custody.
Military officials said they would not comment publicly on the abduction until the rescue operations were complete, but they pledged to intensify operations to “dismantle all terrorist networks threatening the nation.” The whereabouts of Abubakar’s wife remain unknown.
The army paid tribute to the major general, who was reportedly 61 when he died, calling his loss “tragic” and recalling his contributions to counter‑insurgency operations.
This event underscores the urgent need for improved security measures and community resilience in north‑west Nigeria, where violence has become a constant threat to civilians and former military personnel alike.
