KEY POINTS

• Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife were kidnapped by suspected bandits in Matazu, Katsina State.
• The attackers shot at their vehicle, injuring the driver, who escaped and is receiving treatment.
• Police have intensified rescue efforts, deploying tactical units to track down the kidnappers and secure the victims’ release.

Former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), and his wife have been abducted by suspected bandits in Katsina State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday while the couple were travelling to Katsina when armed men intercepted their vehicle in Matazu Local Government Area. The attackers opened fire on the vehicle before whisking the retired military officer and his wife away to an unknown destination.

The spokesperson of the Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed the abduction, stating that security operatives have commenced a search-and-rescue mission to secure the victims’ release.

According to the police, the attack happened at about 11 a.m. when suspected bandits stopped a Peugeot 406 saloon car carrying the victims. The gunmen reportedly fired at the vehicle and abducted two occupants, while the driver managed to escape despite sustaining gunshot injuries.

Aliyu disclosed that the Commissioner of Police personally visited the scene to assess the situation and has deployed additional tactical teams and resources to strengthen ongoing rescue efforts.

He added that operatives, including members of the anti-kidnapping unit, are combing nearby forests and surrounding communities in search of the abductors.

Driver Survives Gunshot Wounds

A security source in Matazu, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the attack occurred near Aduwa village, before Karaduwa town.

The source explained that the assailants opened fire on the vehicle, injuring the driver. Despite the injuries, the driver survived the attack and was initially rushed to a primary healthcare centre in Matazu before being transferred to Katsina for advanced medical treatment.

Photographs and video clips from the scene reportedly showed the abandoned vehicle riddled with bullet holes, with personal belongings of the occupants still inside.

The abduction was earlier brought to public attention by former senator Babafemi Ojudu, who cited information provided by retired army spokesperson Brigadier General Sagir Musa.

According to Ojudu, the retired military officer and his wife were seized by armed bandits while travelling, while the driver escaped after suffering gunshot wounds.