Fresh details have emerged on the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, and his wife in Katsina State.
The couple were reportedly travelling through Katsina on Saturday when suspected bandits intercepted their vehicle around the Matazu axis and took them away.
According to reports, the attack happened along the Katsina–Matazu road in Matazu Local Government Area. The gunmen stopped the vehicle and whisked the couple to an unknown location. Their driver escaped despite suffering a gunshot wound.
Premium Times, quoting the Katsina State Police Command, said the attack occurred around 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.
Police spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu confirmed that armed bandits intercepted a Peugeot saloon car, opened fire and abducted two occupants while the driver escaped.
“What happened was that today at about 11:00, suspected armed bandits intercepted a Peugeot 406 saloon vehicle, opened fire and abducted two occupants while the driver escaped,” he said.
Aliyu added that a search-and-rescue operation began immediately. He said the Commissioner of Police visited the scene and deployed more tactical teams and resources.
“Currently, our operatives, including the VCRU, are on a search-and-rescue operation, combing the surrounding bushes. Further developments will be communicated,” he added.
A security source told Premium Times that the attack happened near Aduwa village before Karaduwa. The source said the gunmen shot at the vehicle, injuring the driver, who later escaped. He was first taken to a primary healthcare facility in Matazu before being transferred to Katsina for treatment.
Daily Trust reported that Abubakar was heading to Katsina for a wedding when the attack occurred. The newspaper said a video circulating online showed the victims’ vehicle parked at the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters, with at least two bullet holes visible on the body of a red Peugeot 504.
Premium Times also reviewed photos and video footage showing an abandoned vehicle with apparent bullet damage and personal belongings inside, but said it could not independently verify when the footage was recorded.
The abduction was first disclosed by former senator Babafemi Ojudu, who cited retired army spokesperson Brigadier General Sagir Musa.
Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information between 2015 and 2017 and was one of the military’s most prominent spokespersons. His abduction has renewed concerns over insecurity in Katsina and the wider North-West.
Daily Trust noted that this is the second known attack involving a retired general in Katsina since the 2025 abduction of Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga, who reportedly spent 56 days in captivity.
The latest incident came a day after bandits reportedly attacked Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area, killing at least 16 people. More than 400 residents reportedly fled to nearby communities, while several others remained unaccounted for.
As of the time of filing this report, security operatives were still combing nearby bushes in search of the retired general and his wife.
