Bandits demand release of detained fighters for abducted ex-army spokesman

The abductors of a former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (retd), and his wife have demanded the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for the couple’s freedom.

The demands were conveyed in a four-minute video released by the kidnappers on Saturday. The footage shows the retired military officer and his wife in captivity days after they were abducted in Katsina State.

In the video, the wife of the former defence spokesman, speaking in Hausa, appealed to the Katsina State Government, traditional rulers, and community leaders across five local government areas to intervene and facilitate the release of the detained bandits identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru. According to her, two of the men were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was arrested in Kano State. She said compliance with the demands would pave the way for their release.

The retired general, who spoke briefly in the video, urged stakeholders to embrace dialogue and peaceful engagement. “I appeal for efforts that will promote peace. They have indicated interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence,” Abubakar said.

A notorious bandit commander, Kachallah Muhammad, who reportedly operates in parts of Katsina State, has contacted relatives of the retired officer since the abduction. The contacts allegedly conveyed demands centred on the release of detained associates rather than a conventional ransom payment.

Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30 while travelling through Katsina State. The couple was reportedly travelling with their driver along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area when armed men ambushed their vehicle near Zakin Baure village and whisked them into a nearby forest.

Their driver reportedly escaped despite sustaining gunshot injuries during the attack, while security operatives later recovered the victims’ vehicle, a red Peugeot 504.

The Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road has become notorious for recurring incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery, with residents frequently raising concerns over security along the corridor.

As of the time of this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement on the video or the demands made by the abductors.