‘He Died in My Arms’ — General Rabe’s Wife Contradicts Official Death Account

Retired Major General of the Nigerian Army, Abubakar Rabe, and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar

‘He Died in My Arms’ — General Rabe’s Wife Contradicts Official Death Account

Fresh details have emerged on the final moments of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, with his widow, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, revealing that her husband died in her arms while the couple was held captive by bandits in Katsina State. The account, obtained from the widow while she was receiving treatment after regaining her freedom, contradicts the Katsina State Government’s earlier position that the retired general died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension. According to a source who spoke with Hajiya Amina during her hospitalisation, she insisted that her husband had no known history of diabetes or hypertension before the abduction and was in good health. General Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. The retired officer later died in captivity, while his wife was subsequently rescued after sustaining a gunshot wound during a military operation.

According to the source, the widow recalled noticing a sudden deterioration in the retired general’s health after one of his legs became swollen while they were in captivity. “She told us that there was a likelihood that he was bitten by a snake because when she noticed that his leg was swollen, she drew the attention of the bandits, who reluctantly told her that he had been bitten by a snake,” the source said. The kidnappers reportedly attempted to treat the swelling with local remedies, bringing mashed leaves and applying them to the swollen leg, but General Rabe’s condition continued to worsen. “There was no improvement as the General’s health deteriorated within a short time. She told us that he died in her arms. It was a very difficult moment for her,” the source added. One of the late general’s sons, Isyaku Rabe, confirmed to Deutsche Welle (DW) that his father had no history of diabetes or high blood pressure, adding that reports suggesting his father died from diabetes were inaccurate. He noted that some people believed the late general might have died from a snake bite, based on the last video released by the kidnappers. The family had earlier dismissed the Katsina State Government’s claim that the retired general died from diabetes and hypertension. One of his daughters, Adda Abubakar, posted on her X handle that her father did not suffer from diabetes and insisted that a snake bite was the actual cause of his death.

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The source also disclosed that while the retired general was still alive, the kidnappers offered to release his wife, but she refused, insisting she would only leave with her husband. This detail underscores the couple’s devotion to each other during their harrowing ordeal. Following General Abubakar’s death, the Defence Headquarters said it had deliberately withheld public comment on the abduction to avoid jeopardising rescue efforts. The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Samaila Uba, said the Armed Forces and other security agencies deployed significant resources in the bid to secure the retired officer’s release. He described General Abubakar as a distinguished officer who served with dedication and made immense contributions to counter-insurgency operations and the professional development of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA rescued Hajiya Amina following an encounter with the bandits during a search-and-rescue operation in Matazu Local Government Area. The breakthrough came when soldiers made contact with the kidnappers at Tunga village, forcing the bandits to abandon their captive and flee under intense military pressure. “During sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements, troops made contact with the bandits… leading to the successful recovery of Mrs Abubakar,” said Brigadier General Samaila Uba, the Director of Defence Information. The military source disclosed that the bandits shot her and fled when troops made contact. She was bleeding and received first aid at the scene before being evacuated for urgent medical attention. One of the couple’s daughters, Bilkisu, confirmed the rescue on WhatsApp, posting: “We are deeply grateful to Allah for His mercy and protection. Our mummy has been rescued from the hands of evil by the Nigerian Army. We pray that Allah grants her good health, complete recovery, peace of mind, and strength after everything she has been through.”

Security agencies have launched investigations into why the bandits reportedly attempted to flee their hideout shortly before troops arrived. A security source said authorities were probing whether information about the planned rescue operation had been leaked. “Before the troops were dispatched, the location was carefully mapped and all the coordinates sorted out. It remains curious why the bandits suddenly attempted to flee a location where they had kept the General, his wife and others for days. The possibility of sabotage cannot be ruled out,” the source said. Security sources said the couple was allegedly abducted by a criminal network linked to notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Muhammad Fulani, who operates across several local government areas in Katsina State and parts of Kano State.

General Abubakar, his wife and their driver were ambushed and abducted on May 30 while travelling through Matazu Local Government Area. Their driver escaped despite sustaining gunshot wounds and was initially treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, before being transferred to another hospital outside the state. A video later surfaced showing the retired general and his wife pleading for authorities to meet the demands of their captors. In the footage, Hajiya Amina appealed for the release of three detained associates and the return of livestock allegedly seized during previous military operations. President Bola Tinubu expressed shock over the general’s death, describing it as a reminder of the threat posed by armed criminal groups. The President vowed that the government would never bow to the abductors’ demand to release captured bandits.