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Abduction of retired military officer confirmed
The Nigerian army has verified the kidnapping of a former high-ranking military spokesperson and his wife in the northwest region of the country. Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, who served as military spokesman from 2015 to 2017, was taken by armed men on Saturday while traveling in Katsina state.
Incident details emerge
According to military spokesman Gen Michael Onoja, efforts are underway to locate the couple and apprehend their captors. Local reports indicate Abubakar was en route to a wedding in Katsina when gunmen ambushed his vehicle.
The retired general's driver managed to escape despite sustaining gunshot wounds, while Abubakar and his wife were forcibly taken into a nearby forest.
Broader security crisis in northwest Nigeria
The abduction underscores persistent security challenges in the region, where criminal gangs, known locally as "bandits," frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling, and attacks on rural communities. Some militant jihadist groups have also been active in the area.
Katsina state has been particularly hard-hit by violence. Neighboring Zamfara state has faced similar instability, with previous attempts by communities to negotiate peace with armed groups yielding little long-term success.
Recent attacks and government response
The kidnapping follows a deadly assault in Katsina state on Friday, where armed men raided Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area, killing at least 16 people. The attack occurred shortly after Friday prayers, during Eid al-Adha celebrations.
Security agencies had warned of potential attacks during the holiday, prompting some state governments to restrict large gatherings and bolster security measures. Police have not yet commented on the reported killings.
No claims of responsibility yet
The army stated that no group has claimed responsibility for Saturday's abduction, and authorities are awaiting contact from the kidnappers. The government has previously introduced measures to discourage ransom payments, though such attacks have continued unabated.
"Efforts are ongoing to rescue the couple and track down their captors," Gen Michael Onoja told the BBC.
