Insecurity deepens as bandits kidnap retired Military Chief, wife in Katsina By Abibu Shehu Ibrahim
Insecurity deepens as bandits kidnap retired Military Chief, wife in Katsina
By Abibu Shehu Ibrahim
In a fresh indication of the worsening security situation in Katsina State, bandits have abducted retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife along the Matazu axis of the state, barely a year after the kidnap of another retired senior military officer.
A security source disclosed that Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, was travelling to Katsina for a wedding ceremony when armed men attacked their vehicle on Saturday.
His driver reportedly escaped despite sustaining gunshot injuries, while the retired General and his wife were abducted and taken into the forest by the assailants.
A video circulating on social media showed the victims’ vehicle parked within the premises of the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters.
Newsmen who visited the scene observed at least two bullet holes on the body of the red Peugeot 504 car.
The incident marks the second high-profile attack involving a retired military officer in Katsina State since the abduction of Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd) in 2025.
Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), spent 56 days in captivity before regaining his freedom.
Despite repeated security interventions aimed at restoring peace, Katsina State continues to grapple with persistent criminal activities.
On Friday, bandits attacked Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area, killing at least 16 people.
The attack occurred shortly after residents had concluded Juma’at prayers and gathered to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was among villagers relaxing after prayers when armed bandits stormed the community, causing panic.
“People started running when they saw them, but the gunmen ordered everyone to stop,” he said.
“Moments later, they moved towards a mechanic’s house and suddenly began shooting at residents and passersby,” he added.
The witness said he narrowly escaped death after taking refuge in a nearby house.
“After the Friday prayers, we were sitting together when I called a boy selling local drinks and bought a bowl from him. Suddenly, the bandits arrived. The boy and I ran into a house and hid.
“While inside, we heard screams and gunshots everywhere. When the shooting eventually stopped and we came out, we found about 16 lifeless bodies, including some of my uncles and cousins,” he lamented.
The attack reportedly triggered a mass exodus from the village, with more than 400 residents fleeing to neighbouring Bagagadi and Radda communities in search of safety.
Several persons remain unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Residents also disclosed that some victims may have been killed while working on their farms, as additional bodies were reportedly discovered in farmlands surrounding the community.
Katsina remains one of the states worst affected by insecurity in northwestern Nigeria. Alongside neighbouring Zamfara State, it continues to witness frequent incidents of kidnapping, killings, and cattle rustling by armed bandit groups despite ongoing military and security operations.
Over the years, authorities have explored various peace initiatives and negotiations with armed groups, but many of these efforts have yet to deliver lasting solutions to the region’s security challenges.
