The family of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe has expressed anguish over a recently released video showing the former military officer and his wife in captivity, describing the footage as a painful ordeal that has intensified their fears for the couple’s safety.
Rabe, a former Director of Defence Information, was abducted alongside his wife, Amina, on May 30 while travelling to Katsina State.
The couple and their driver were reportedly attacked by armed bandits along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to reports, the assailants ambushed the vehicle near Zakin Baure village, opening fire and forcing it to a halt.
The driver reportedly sustained a gunshot injury to his hand but was later spared by the attackers.
Anxiety among relatives escalated after the kidnappers released a video showing the retired general and his wife appealing for intervention to secure their freedom.
In the footage, Mrs Rabe said the abductors were demanding the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations in Jikamshi market, Musawa Local Government Area.
She appealed to the Katsina State Government and community leaders in affected local government areas to help facilitate efforts that could lead to their release.
The retired general, who also spoke in the video, urged authorities to pursue peaceful engagement, stating that the abductors had expressed willingness to embrace dialogue.
The couple appeared calm in the footage and showed no visible signs of physical abuse.
Reacting to the video, the general’s younger sister, Mariya Ibrahim, said the family was overwhelmed with emotion after seeing the couple in captivity.
She appealed to government authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release, noting that the retired officer had devoted much of his life to serving the country.
Another relative, Ibrahim Mamman Batsari, described the footage as emotionally devastating, saying it had subjected the family to severe psychological distress.
Also speaking, Aisha Abubakar Batsari said relatives had been unable to find peace since the video emerged, adding that concerns over the couple’s health and wellbeing continued to grow.
Two younger brothers of the retired officer, Abubakar Barau Batsari and Hamisu Abubakar Batsari, said watching the footage had left the family traumatised.
They urged the Federal Government, Katsina State Government and security agencies to treat the matter with urgency and ensure the victims are rescued unharmed.
The incident has also heightened concerns among residents of Batsari and surrounding communities.
A community leader, Alhaji Haruna Mai Maganin Kwari Batsari, said the abduction had deepened fears among locals, noting that many residents now feel increasingly vulnerable.
A security analyst based in Katsina, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the video underscored the growing boldness of criminal groups operating in the North-West.
He called for a comprehensive review of security strategies, stressing the need for improved intelligence gathering, faster response mechanisms and stronger operational readiness.
Meanwhile, the leader of the group holding the retired general, Muhammadu Kachalla, reportedly explained why he did not release the officer’s wife despite an earlier promise.
In an audio conversation said to have taken place with the chairman of Matazu Local Government Area, Kachalla claimed that the heavy deployment of security personnel in the area influenced his decision, alleging that security agencies would have taken credit for her release.
He also repeated demands for the release of three associates and the return of livestock allegedly confiscated during security operations, while insisting that security forces should withdraw from the area if negotiations were to continue.
Kachalla further claimed that previous agreements reached with authorities had not been honoured.
Despite the developments, the Katsina State Government said it remains optimistic that ongoing security efforts will secure the release of the retired general and his wife.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, said Governor Dikko Umaru Radda had directed security agencies to prioritise the rescue operation.
The government said preliminary findings suggested the victims may have been deliberately targeted and tracked before the abduction, describing the incident as evidence of an organised criminal network.
According to the statement, security agencies are combining intelligence gathering and technology-driven operations to locate the abductors and secure the safe return of the victims.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to bringing those responsible to justice and urged residents to remain calm as rescue efforts continue.