The widow of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, remains in the custody of kidnappers more than two weeks after she and her husband were abducted in Katsina State.
Sources familiar with the situation disclosed on Saturday that efforts to secure her freedom were ongoing, although details of the operation were not made public.
The couple was kidnapped on May 30 when armed men ambushed their vehicle along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of the state.
The development comes shortly after the Katsina State Government confirmed the death of the retired military officer while in captivity.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, said the former general died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
“The Katsina State Government, with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, announces the passing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar,” the statement said.
Before his death, a video circulated on social media showing the abducted couple relaying demands allegedly made by their captors.
In the footage, the widow appealed to authorities and community leaders to facilitate the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, whom the kidnappers claimed were being held by security agencies.
She also called on the Katsina State Government and leaders across five local government areas to intervene in order to secure their freedom.
Meanwhile, security sources said operations aimed at rescuing the deceased general’s wife were still underway.
Earlier in the week, a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Muhammad, claimed in an audio message that he had initially considered releasing the woman but later changed his decision due to the increased deployment of security personnel in the area.
According to him, ongoing security operations and the arrest of individuals allegedly linked to his group complicated plans for her release.
The bandit leader also demanded the release of three persons he claimed were in government custody and called for the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations in the Jikamshi area.
He suggested that meeting those demands could create conditions for dialogue and reduce violent attacks in the affected communities.
As of Saturday evening, authorities had yet to announce any breakthrough in efforts to secure the release of the retired general’s widow.