The family of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.) has challenged the Katsina State Government’s account of the circumstances surrounding his deathp, insisting that the retired military officer neither suffered from diabetes nor hypertension.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle, one of the deceased’s sons, Isyaka Rabe, described reports linking his father’s death to diabetes-related complications as inaccurate.
According to him, the family is unaware of any medical history suggesting that the retired general battled diabetes or high blood pressure before his abduction.
Isyaka said speculation persists that his father may have died from a snake bite, citing a video reportedly released by the kidnappers before the retired officer’s death.
He, however, noted that only God knows the exact cause of death.
While praying for the repose of his father’s soul, he described the late general as a humble, deeply religious and peace-loving man who lived a modest life and died a hero.
Commenting on the recovery of the deceased’s remains, Isyaka said the family was not informed of the circumstances under which the body was retrieved.
He said questions about how the remains were recovered should be directed to the authorities, adding that he had no details beyond the arrangements for the funeral.
The deceased’s son also dismissed reports circulating on social media that his mother, who was kidnapped alongside her husband, had regained freedom.
“Our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released,” he stated.
Earlier, one of the late general’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, had also maintained on social media that her father was not diabetic, insisting that a snake bite led to his death while in captivity.
Major General Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The retired officer later died while being held by his abductors.
The Katsina State Government had announced that the former military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
However, members of his family and other sources have continued to dispute the official account, maintaining that he died after allegedly suffering a snake bite during captivity.
Meanwhile, concern continues to mount over the fate of his wife, who remains in the custody of the kidnappers more than two weeks after the abduction.