Retired Nigerian General Rabe Abubakar Dies in Kidnapping

Sat Jun 13 2026 18:38:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Former army spokesperson Rabe Abubakar died while held captive in the north‑west, underscoring the escalating violence in Nigeria’s Katsina state.

Major General Rabe Abubakar, who served as the Nigerian army’s spokesperson between 2015 and 2017, was abducted along with his wife and driver in Katsina state on 30 May. A video circulating before his death showed him injured and in distress. The military confirmed that he died in captivity, but the circumstances of his death remain unclear. His death highlights the persistent security threat posed by bandit gangs and militant groups in the region. The armed forces have intensified operations to locate surviving hostages and dismantle the networks responsible.

Retired Nigerian General Rabe Abubakar Dies in Kidnapping

Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was Nigeria’s army spokesperson from 2015 to 2017, was abducted by armed men in Katsina state on 30 May. He was taken along with his wife and a driver while travelling to a wedding.

A video that surfaced on social media in the days before his death showed Abubakar and other hostages bound, with the general visibly injured on his left leg. The Nigerian military later confirmed that he had died while in captivity, though experts say the cause of death has not been disclosed.

The incident underscores the security crisis in north‑west Nigeria, where criminal gangs – often called “bandits” – routinely abduct civilians for ransom, and where militant jihadists also operate. A US‑run airstrike on a suspected militant camp in Sokoto state occurred last year, indicating the continued threat of armed conflict in the area.

The army’s statement highlighted that it had withheld public comments to focus on ongoing rescue operations and to deploy all operational resources for a safe return. The whereabouts and condition of Abubakar’s wife remain unknown.

In tribute, the armed forces described the former general’s death as “tragic” and lauded his “immense contributions to counter‑insurgency operations” and his commitment to Nigeria’s unity. The military promised intensified operations to bring the perpetrators to justice and dismantle terrorist networks threatening the country.

Rabe Abubakar in 2009 as army spokesperson — AFP via Getty Images – Retired Maj‑Gen Rabe Abubakar pictured in 2009.

For a deeper look into the security challenges of the region, read our related stories: “Living in fear of the LAGNA-rate militant group” and “Inside the story of a Nigerian ransom negotiator.”