KATSINA, Nigeria — Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, and his wife have been abducted by suspected bandits along the Katsina–Matazu Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 30, 2026, when the couple was reportedly travelling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car through the area. According to security sources and eyewitness accounts, armed men ambushed the vehicle at about 11 a.m., opened fire, and forcefully whisked the couple away to an unknown destination.
The attackers reportedly intercepted the vehicle in a coordinated operation, surrounding it before carrying out the abduction. During the attack, the couple’s driver sustained gunshot injuries but managed to escape and subsequently alerted security authorities.
The gunmen were said to have fled into nearby forested areas that have long been associated with the activities of armed criminal groups operating across parts of northwestern Nigeria.
The abduction has drawn widespread attention due to Major General Abubakar’s distinguished military career and his former role as Director of Defence Information, where he served as one of the Nigerian military’s principal spokespersons on defence and security matters.
Images reportedly taken at the scene showed the abandoned vehicle riddled with bullet holes, highlighting the violent nature of the attack.
The incident has generated concern among security experts, retired military officers, and residents of Katsina State, many of whom view the kidnapping as another indication of the persistent security challenges confronting the region.
Security agencies have reportedly launched efforts to locate the victims and secure their safe release. Intelligence operatives are said to be pursuing leads while security patrols have been intensified along the Katsina–Matazu corridor and surrounding communities.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the investigation, and no official information has been released concerning contact with the abductors or possible ransom demands.
The abduction has once again drawn attention to the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where bandit groups continue to carry out kidnappings, attacks on travellers, and raids on rural communities despite repeated security operations by government forces.
Katsina State remains one of the areas most affected by the activities of armed groups, with residents frequently calling for stronger measures to improve security and protect lives and property.
As of the latest reports, the whereabouts of Major General Abubakar and his wife remain unknown.
Security agencies have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.
