A video showing retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife in captivity has emerged online, weeks after the couple was abducted in Katsina State.
The former Director of Defence Information and his wife were reportedly seized by armed men while travelling along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area, near Zakin Baure village.
In the footage, which surfaced on Saturday, the couple appealed for assistance as their captors outlined a series of demands they said must be met before their release.
Speaking in Hausa, Mrs. Abubakar relayed the conditions presented by the kidnappers. The group is demanding the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, whom they claimed were being held by authorities. According to the abductors, two of the men were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was detained in Kano State.
The armed group also called for the return of livestock they alleged had been confiscated from them.
Mrs. Abubakar appealed to the Katsina State Government, traditional rulers and community leaders across affected local government areas to help initiate discussions that could secure their freedom.
In his brief remarks, the retired military officer urged stakeholders to pursue peaceful engagement aimed at resolving the crisis. He stated that the kidnappers had indicated a willingness to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence if their grievances were addressed.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that a notorious bandit commander known as Kachallah Muhammad, believed to be active in parts of Katsina State, has reportedly made contact with members of the retired general’s family.
At the time of this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had publicly commented on the video or the demands made by the abductors.
The incident underscores the continuing security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria, where kidnapping and banditry remain major threats to residents and travellers.
