The Senate has expressed sorrow over the death of Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd.), the former Director of Defence Information who died in captivity after being kidnapped.
Abubakar and his wife were abducted on 30th May 2026 along the Katsina–Matazu road in Katsina State. He was a retired Major General and a proud son of Batsari Local Government Area.
In a statement on Saturday, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar'Adua, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, confirmed the news. Yar'Adua, who represents Katsina Central under the APC, said the committee received the news with deep sorrow.
"General Abubakar was abducted alongside his wife on 30th May 2026 along the Katsina–Matazu road. Throughout his career and in retirement, he served Nigeria with honour and continued to contribute meaningfully to national security discourse," the statement read.
The Senate committee extended condolences to his immediate family, the Nigerian Army, the people of Batsari LGA, and the entire Katsina State. They prayed that Almighty Allah grants him Aljannah Firdaus and gives his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
"We reaffirm our commitment to working with the Executive and security agencies to strengthen measures that protect the lives and property of all Nigerians. We also salute the dedication of our security personnel and urge all citizens to remain united and patient as efforts to restore peace continue."
Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information, the military's top spokesperson, during a period when the Nigerian military was battling Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges. He retired from active service after a distinguished career spanning decades.
His abduction highlights the worsening security situation in Katsina State and the North-West region, where bandit gangs and kidnappers have terrorised communities, targeting both ordinary citizens and prominent figures. The Katsina–Matazu road has become notorious for attacks.
As of the time of this report, the fate of Abubakar's wife remains unclear. The Senate committee didn't provide details on whether she was rescued or also died in captivity.
The military and security agencies haven't issued a separate statement on the incident. The Senate's call for unity and patience suggests that efforts to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of other captives are ongoing.
Abubakar's death is a grim reminder of the human cost of the insecurity plaguing northern Nigeria. He served his country in uniform and continued to serve in retirement — only to be taken by the very crisis he once helped manage.