Abducted ex-Maj Gen Abubakar Rabe, wife appear in bandit video

Former Defence Headquarters spokesperson retired Major General Abubakar Rabe and his wife Amina Abubakar have appeared in a video released by their abductors.

In the four-minutes video seen by Dateline Nigeria, General Rabe and his wife appealed to both Federal and Katsina State governments to accede to the demands of their captors so as to secure their own freedom.

Speaking first, Hajiya Amina said their abductors are demanding for the release of three individuals listed as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of the livestock allegedly seized from them.

She appealed to the Katsina State Government and community leaders across five local government areas to intervene and help secure their freedom.

Speaking briefly in the footage, Major General Rabe (rtd) called for efforts towards peace and dialogue, noting that the captors had expressed willingness to embrace peaceful coexistence.

No ransom demand was mentioned in the video, which ended after General Rabe had spoken

The retired military general and his wife were abducted on Saturday while travelling to Katsina alongside their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu. The incident occurred along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area.

According to reports, armed men suspected to be bandits ambushed the vehicle near Zakin Baure village, opened fire and forced it to stop before taking the victims away. The driver sustained a gunshot injury but was not abducted.

A notorious bandit leader, identified as Kachallah Muhammad, has reportedly established communication with the family of the retired general.