By Jeremy Fregene
Fresh controversy has emerged over the circumstances surrounding the death of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, as members of his family have rejected claims that he died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension, insisting instead that he may have succumbed to a snake bite while in captivity.
The family also disclosed that his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, who was abducted alongside him more than two weeks ago, remains in the custody of their captors despite reports suggesting she had regained her freedom.
The retired Army officer and former Director of Defence Information was abducted on 30 May 2026, alongside his wife, when armed bandits ambushed their vehicle along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The abduction sparked outrage across the country, particularly because of Rabe’s status as a retired senior military officer who had spent decades serving in Nigeria’s armed forces.
Days before news of his death broke, the couple appeared in a four-minute, two-second video released by their abductors and circulated widely on social media.
In the footage, the visibly distressed couple stood before the camera and relayed the demands of their captors.
Speaking in the video, Hajiya Amina appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to secure their freedom by facilitating the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru, whom the kidnappers claimed were being held in government custody.
According to her, two of the men were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was apprehended in Kano.
The kidnappers also reportedly demanded the return of cattle allegedly seized during security operations in the Jikamshi area.
However, on Saturday, the Katsina State Government announced the death of the retired general.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, the government said Rabe died from complications associated with diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
“The Katsina State Government, with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, wishes to inform the general public of the tragic passing of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar,” the statement read.
But members of the family have strongly disputed that explanation.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), one of the deceased’s sons, Isyaka Rabe, said his father had no history of either diabetes or high blood pressure.
He described reports attributing the death to diabetes-related complications as inaccurate.
“My father did not have diabetes and he did not suffer from hypertension,” he said.
According to him, information available to the family suggested that the late general may have been bitten by a snake while being held by the kidnappers.
He explained that the suspicion was based largely on details contained in the final video released by the abductors before his father’s death.
While acknowledging that only God knows the exact cause of death, Isyaka maintained that there was no medical history to support the government’s claim.
“Some people believe he died from a snake bite because of what was seen in the last video released by the abductors, but only God knows the actual cause of his death,” he said.
He described his father as a devout Muslim, a peace-loving man, and a disciplined officer who dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria.
The family’s position was earlier echoed by one of the late general’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, who stated on her X handle, @Addahaleem, that her father did not suffer from diabetes and that a snake bite was the actual cause of his death.
The controversy over the cause of death has further heightened public interest in the tragedy, particularly as questions remain over how the retired officer died in captivity and how his remains were eventually recovered.
Isyaka disclosed that even the family had not been informed about the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the body.
“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and that such questions should be directed to the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround the fate of Hajiya Amina, who remains in captivity.
Security sources said efforts were ongoing to secure her release but declined to provide operational details or indicate when she might regain freedom.
Reports over the weekend indicated that a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Muhammad, claimed he had initially planned to release the widow but changed his mind because of ongoing security operations in the area.
In an audio message, the bandit kingpin said the heavy deployment of security personnel caused him to suspend the proposed release.
“I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind,” he reportedly said.
Kachalla also expressed anger over the arrest of individuals he claimed were linked to his group, insisting that the detention of the suspects had complicated efforts toward any dialogue.
The bandit leader renewed demands for the release of three persons allegedly in government custody and the return of cattle seized during security operations, claiming that meeting those conditions could pave the way for peace and an end to attacks in the area.
For now, however, the widow of the late general is said to still be in captivity, as the circumstances surrounding his death continue to generate conflicting accounts and public scrutiny amid Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis.