By Tunji Okunlola
The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, have released a video showing him and his wife in captivity and setting out their conditions for the couple’s release.
Major General Abubakar and his wife were seized along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.
In the four-minute video, which circulated on social media on Saturday, the retired general’s wife relayed the abductors’ demands. These include the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru and the return of livestock allegedly confiscated from them. According to her account, two of the men are being held in Jikamshi and the third in Kano.
She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and the leadership of five local government areas to intervene and help meet the demands.
Major General Abubakar, who spoke briefly in the video, called for calm and urged efforts toward a peaceful resolution, saying the abductors had indicated a willingness to negotiate.
Notorious bandit leader Kachallah Muhammad, who is reported to operate across parts of Katsina State, is said to have been in contact with the family.
Neither the Katsina State Government nor any security agency has issued an official statement on the matter.