Bandit leader demands prisoner swap for abducted retired General

A notorious bandit kingpin behind the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari and his wife has opened communication with the family, demanding the release of detained gang members in exchange for the couple’s freedom.

Sources familiar with the development told BusinessDay that the bandit leader, identified as Kachallah Muhammad, established contact with the family on Monday, less than 48 hours after the retired military officer and his wife were kidnapped along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

A senior official in Batsari Local Government Area, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, confirmed that he personally spoke with the retired general during the conversation facilitated by the bandit leader.

According to the official, Major General Batsari assured family members and associates that both he and his wife were in good condition.

“I spoke with Major General Rabe through Kachallah Muhammad. He told us that he is hale and hearty and that his wife is also fine,” the source said.

The development has brought some relief to relatives who had been anxiously awaiting information on the couple’s whereabouts and condition since their abduction.

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Unlike the conventional ransom demands often associated with kidnappings in the region, the bandit leader reportedly insisted on a prisoner exchange, calling for the release of his relatives currently being held by security agencies.

“He said what he wants is the immediate release of his relatives in government custody,” the official disclosed.
In a surprising twist, the bandit commander was also said to have expressed readiness to reopen discussions aimed at restoring peace in Matazu Local Government Area and other areas under his influence.

The retired Major General and his wife were abducted on Saturday while travelling along the notorious Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road. Witnesses said armed men emerged from nearby bushes, blocked the road, and opened fire on the couple’s vehicle before whisking them away into a forest.

The incident has once again highlighted growing insecurity along major highways in Katsina State, where residents have repeatedly complained about persistent bandit attacks and kidnappings.

The abduction has particularly shaken residents of Batsari, where the retired army officer is widely respected for his philanthropic activities and community leadership.

A family member, Mariya Ibrahim, said the retired general was travelling to Katsina for a wedding ceremony when the attack occurred.

“He served this country with dedication and deserves protection even in retirement. We want him and his wife rescued unharmed,” she appealed.

Residents say the kidnapping of a former senior military officer underscores the worsening security situation across parts of the North-West.

“The kidnapping of a retired Major General shows how emboldened bandits have become,” said Ibrahim Mamman Batsari, a community member. “It exposes the vulnerability of our highways and rural communities. Urgent action is needed to prevent further deterioration of the security situation.”

As of press time, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor military authorities had issued an official statement on the kidnappers’ demands or any ongoing rescue efforts.