By Adesina Soyooye
The last time he was seen alive, it was in a humiliating video shot and released by his abductors. There, Major General Rabe Abubakar, rtd, stood, helpless.
The irony: the Army Major General was obeying the command of riff-raffs. Standing beside him was his wife. They were in a forest. Their abductors forced them to stand up. They did. They forced them to address Nigerians. They did. First was the wife who seemed stronger than the General. Then the General spoke, briefly. They were pleading for their lives. They were appealing to Nigerians to come to their aid. They were appealing to the State Government, the Federal Government, the Military. They asked that their captors be “appeased” so as to regain their freedom. Their captors wanted their detained criminal colleagues.
Nothing worked. On Saturday, the bad news came. Major General Abubakar has died in captivity two weeks after he was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State.
Just so nobody is in doubt, the, Katsina State Government quickly confirmed his death. In the statement, the Government
said the military officer died from complications which stemmed from diabetes and hypertension while with his abductors.
In the statement signed by Katsina State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, the Government described his death as a tragic loss. It regretted that despite efforts by the State Government and Security agencies to secure his freedom, all came to nought.
Tthe statement: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ captivity. Despite the relentless and concerted efforts of the State Government and various Security Agencies to secure his safe release, the situation ended in this tragedy.
“The deceased Retired General died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension.
“His abduction and subsequent death are not only a loss to his family and Katsina State but a monumental loss to the entire country.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Katsina State Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON, extends his deepest condolences to the family of the late General and the country at-large. The Governor has described this incident as a “dark moment” and a reminder of the urgent need for a collective and intensified front against the criminal elements threatening the peace of our communities.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time.
May the soul of the departed Retired Major General Rabe Abdulakdir rest in eternal peace.”
Abubakar was a former Director of Defence Information. He and his wife were kidnapped around the Matazu area of Katsina State while travelling to attend a wedding ceremony.
A couple of days after their abduction, the couple appeared in a video released by their captors. In the video, they demanded the release of three detained associates identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well the return of livestock allegedly seized from them. Sadly, nothing worked out.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
