Abducted retired Army General, Wife plead for help in new released video
Abducted retired Army General, Wife plead for help in new released video
A week after their abduction in Katsina State, retired Major General Abubakar Rabe and his wife have appealed to government authorities to intervene and secure their freedom.
The appeal was contained in a video released by their captors and circulated on social media, showing the couple in captivity.
In the footage, which lasts just over four minutes, the retired military officer and his wife were seen standing as they relayed conditions reportedly set by the kidnappers for their release.
Speaking in the video, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, wife of the retired general, said the abductors were demanding the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru.
According to her, the kidnappers also want the return of livestock allegedly confiscated from them.
She claimed that two of the individuals whose release was being sought were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was arrested in Kano.
The woman appealed to the Katsina State Government and authorities in five local government areas to assist in meeting the demands of the abductors in order to secure their freedom.
In his brief remarks, the retired general urged efforts toward peace, saying the kidnappers had indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Notably, no ransom demand was mentioned in the video.
Neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official response to the footage as of the time of filing this report.
The former army officer, his wife and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, were abducted on June 6 while travelling to Katsina.
The incident occurred along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli axis in Matazu Local Government Area after armed men reportedly ambushed their vehicle near Zakin Baure village.
Witnesses said the attackers emerged from hiding, blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to stop.
Sources familiar with the incident said the driver sustained a gunshot wound to his hand during the attack but was later spared by the gunmen.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that a notorious bandit leader identified as Kachallah Muhammad has established contact with relatives of the victims.
Sources told Daily Trust the suspected kingpin, who operates in parts of Katsina State, reportedly opened communication with the family shortly after the abduction, although details of the discussions remain unclear.
