Kidnapped retired General Rabe, wife plead for rescue in video released by captors

Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, have appealed to government authorities and community leaders to intervene in securing their freedom after spending a week in captivity following their abduction in Katsina State.

The appeal was contained in a four-minute video released by their abductors and circulated on social media on Saturday.

In the footage, the couple appeared standing and speaking on behalf of their captors, who demanded the release of three detained individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly confiscated from them.

Speaking in the video, Hajiya Amina said the abductors were seeking the release of the three individuals, adding that two were reportedly arrested in Jikamshi while the third was apprehended in Kano.

“We are appealing to the Katsina State Government and leaders of the affected local government areas to help address these demands so that we can regain our freedom,” she said.

Major General Rabe, who spoke briefly, called for efforts to promote peace and dialogue.

“The people holding us have expressed a desire for peaceful coexistence. I appeal to all concerned to work towards peace and ensure that this matter is resolved amicably,” he said.

Notably, no monetary ransom demand was mentioned in the video.

As of press time, neither the Katsina State Government nor the security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the footage or the demands made by the abductors.

The retired army officer, his wife and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, were kidnapped last Saturday while travelling to Katsina. Their vehicle was reportedly ambushed near Zakin Baure village along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area.

Witnesses said armed men suspected to be bandits emerged from hiding, blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to stop. The driver was reportedly shot in the hand during the attack but was later spared by the gunmen.

Sources familiar with the incident said a notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, had since established contact with the family of the retired general.

The development has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where armed groups continue to carry out kidnappings and attacks on travellers and rural communities.