Gunmen abduct ex-military spokesperson, wife

Suspected armed bandits have abducted major general Rabe Abubakar (retd.), former director of defence information and his wife in Katsina state.

The couple was reportedly travelling through Matazu Local Government Area on Saturday when their vehicle was ambushed by heavily armed gunmen who whisked them away to an unknown destination.

Security sources said the retired senior military officer and his wife were travelling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car when the attackers struck.

The driver reportedly escaped despite sustaining gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

According to the sources, security agencies have launched search-and-rescue operations and deployed intelligence assets to track the abductors and secure the victims’ release.

The incident has heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where bandit attacks, kidnappings and highway ambushes remain persistent despite ongoing military operations.

Major general Abubakar, a former military spokesperson, played a prominent role in communicating the Armed Forces’ counterinsurgency and national security operations during his years in service.