Retired Nigerian General Rabe Abubakar Dies After Months in Captivity

Sat Jun 13 2026 19:22:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Nigeria mourns former army spokesman who was kidnapped, held captive and killed in north‑west Nigeria. The incident highlights ongoing security threats.

Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, once the army’s spokesperson, was abducted in May while traveling with his wife in Katsina state. After weeks of being held hostage, officials confirmed he died in captivity and his wife’s whereabouts remain unknown. The incident underscores the persistent violence in north‑west Nigeria, where armed bandits and militant groups frequently carry out kidnappings, cattle thefts and attacks on civilians. While no group claims responsibility, local authorities are intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal networks and secure the region.

Retired Nigerian General Rabe Abubakar Dies After Months in Captivity

The Nigerian military announced today that Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former army spokesperson, was killed while in the hands of armed kidnappers. The fatality comes after weeks of abduction that began in late May when he and his wife were seized in Katsina state.

Abubakar, who was 61 at the time of his death, had served as the army’s public face between 2015 and 2017. He and his wife were reportedly taken while traveling to a wedding, with witnesses describing a sudden attack that left the couple and a driver hostage.

No criminal group claimed responsibility, but security analysts note that the region has long been plagued by “bandit” gangs that kidnap civilians for ransom, and by certain insurgent cells that target public figures.

The military said it had with‑held public statements in deference to ongoing rescue operations. It added that it would continue to deploy all available resources to track down the perpetrators and to dismantle the networks that threaten Nigerian security.

The loss of a highly‑profiled military officer has sparked condolences across the armed forces. Col. Gboyega Anyinwura, a senior army officer, tweeted: “We mourn the loss of a gentleman and a defender of Nigeria’s unity. May he rest in peace.”