Family rejects Katsina Govt’s account of Rabe Abubakar’s death, says wife still in captivity

From Adeola Ajakaiye, Kano
The family of late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar has challenged the Katsina State Government’s account of the circumstances surrounding his death in bandits’ captivity, insisting that the former military officer neither suffered from diabetes nor hypertension.

Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), the deceased general’s son, Isyaka Rabe, dismissed reports that his father died from complications arising from diabetes, describing the claim as inaccurate and inconsistent with the family’s knowledge of his medical history.
According to him, the late army officer had no history of diabetes or high blood pressure before his abduction, adding that the actual cause of death remains known only to God.

Isyaka said some people believed his father may have died after being bitten by a snake, citing the last video reportedly released by the kidnappers before the retired general’s death. However, he stressed that there was no definitive confirmation of the exact cause.

“My father had no history of diabetes or hypertension. Some people believe he died from a snake bite based on the last video released by the abductors, but only God knows the true cause of his death,” he said.

Read also: Bandits on rampage in Katsina, impose N20m right-to-live levy on residents

The statement marks the latest contradiction over the death of the retired general, whose killing has drawn widespread national attention and renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.

While praying for the repose of his father’s soul, Isyaka described the late general as a deeply religious and peace-loving man who lived a simple life and ultimately died a hero.

He also revealed that the family remains uncertain about how the deceased’s body was recovered from the kidnappers.

“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people asked how his body was recovered. I told them I had no information and that such questions should be directed to the government,” he said.

Isyaka further disclosed that his mother, who was abducted alongside his father, is still being held by the kidnappers, contrary to reports circulating on social media claiming she had regained her freedom.

“Take it from me, our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released,” he stated.

The family’s position was earlier echoed by one of the late general’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, who wrote on her X account that her father did not suffer from diabetes and maintained that a snake bite was responsible for his death while in captivity.

Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State while travelling through the area.

The retired senior military officer later died while in the custody of his abductors.

When announcing his death, the Katsina State Government stated that he died from complications associated with diabetes and hypertension while being held captive.

However, members of his family and other sources have continued to dispute that explanation, insisting that he died after suffering a snake bite during his captivity, further deepening the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of his death.

Read also: Bandits invade Kwara communities, abduct two

The conflicting accounts have intensified calls for greater transparency over the incident, even as efforts continue to secure the release of his wife and other victims still being held by armed bandits.