Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected armed bandits have abducted a retired Major General and former Director of Defence Information, Rabe Abubakar, along with his wife, in a brazen attack on the Katsina–Matazu road in Katsina State. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 30, 2026, while the couple was travelling to Katsina State to attend a wedding ceremony. Police sources confirmed that the attack took place at approximately 11:00 a.m. near Aduwa village, before Karaduwa, when gunmen intercepted the victims’ Peugeot 406 saloon vehicle.
According to Abubakar Aliyu, spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, the assailants opened fire on the vehicle, abducting two occupants – the retired general and his wife – while the driver managed to escape despite sustaining a gunshot injury. The driver was initially treated at a primary healthcare facility in Matazu before being transferred to Katsina for further medical care. The red Peugeot 406 vehicle, bearing visible bullet holes, was later seen parked inside the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters, according to a video circulating on social media.
The abduction was earlier disclosed by former Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who cited information from retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa. Ojudu confirmed that the driver escaped with gunshot wounds, but the retired military officer and his wife were whisked away into the forest. The Katsina State Police Command has since launched a search-and-rescue operation, with the Commissioner of Police visiting the scene for an on-the-spot assessment. Tactical units, including the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), have been deployed to comb the surrounding bushes.
Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.) served as the Director of Defence Information (DDI) between 2015 and 2017, where he was one of the military’s principal spokespersons, frequently briefing Nigerians on security operations across the country. The abduction has heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Katsina State and the wider North-West region, where cases of abductions and armed attacks have continued to rise despite ongoing military operations.
The incident follows a recent attack in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina, where bandits raided Kiliya village on Friday, May 29, 2026, killing at least 16 people shortly after residents had concluded Juma’at prayers and were gathered to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festivities. A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that he narrowly escaped death by hiding inside a nearby house as gunmen fired indiscriminately. “While inside, we heard screams and gunshots everywhere. When the shooting eventually stopped, and we came out, we found about 16 lifeless bodies, including some of my uncles and cousins,” he recounted. The attack reportedly triggered a mass displacement of residents, with more than 400 villagers fleeing to neighbouring Bagagadi and Radda villages in search of safety.
As of the time of this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the abduction of the retired general and his wife, aside from confirming that rescue operations are ongoing. The military has assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the release of the victims. “We have received the sad news of his abduction and that of his wife, and we will act accordingly to ensure he and his wife are rescued,” a top military source told The Punch.
This is a developing story. Stone Reporters News will provide updates as more verified information becomes available.
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