Suspected armed bandits have kidnapped a former Director of Defence Information, Rabe Abubakar, and his wife in Katsina State. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the Matazu local government area.
Attack Details
The gunmen intercepted the couple's vehicle while they were traveling towards Katsina. The state police spokesperson, Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed the kidnapping and stated that a manhunt has been launched to rescue the general and his wife.
According to The Nation, Aliyu said: "The attack occurred at about 11a.m. on Saturday when the assailants, armed with dangerous weapons, intercepted a red Peugeot 406 saloon carrying the general and his wife traveling along the route. The driver, Abdullahi Sa’id, sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm during the attack; the general and his wife were abducted before security operatives arrived at the scene."
Police Response
The Commissioner of Police visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and deployed additional tactical units and resources to support rescue efforts. Aliyu urged the public to provide credible information to assist security agencies.
"Efforts to rescue the General and his wife, and apprehend the perpetrators are ongoing, and further developments will be communicated as investigations progress," Aliyu added.
Rising Insecurity
This kidnapping follows a series of similar incidents in the region. Recently, armed bandits abducted ten individuals in Kaduna State, including seven family members from a residential compound. In another attack, bandits kidnapped 15 residents, mostly women and children, during a coordinated late-night raid in Bakori LGA.
The police remain committed to tackling criminal activities and ensuring the safety of citizens.
