Tears As Retired General Who Died In Bandits’ Captivity Is Buried

Tears flowed on Saturday evening as family members, friends, military officers, government officials and sympathisers bid farewell to retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who died while in bandits’ captivity.

Naija News reports that the late senior military officer was buried around 6:00 pm at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery, located opposite his residence in Katsina metropolis.

The burial followed funeral prayers attended by a large crowd of mourners.

Among those present were top government officials, security chiefs, senior military officers, traditional title holders, political associates, family members and well-wishers.

Recall that Abubakar was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, while travelling to his hometown along the Katsina-Matazu road.

His death has triggered fresh public outrage over the worsening insecurity in the country, especially the persistent wave of banditry and kidnappings across northern Nigeria.

For many mourners, the retired general’s death symbolised the painful reality facing Nigerians who remain vulnerable to criminal attacks despite ongoing security operations.

Katsina Govt Explains Death

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, said the retired officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

The explanation, however, drew criticism from some groups, who argued that the circumstances of his death could not be separated from his abduction.

Reacting, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) rejected any suggestion that Abubakar died a natural death.

He said the retired general’s death was directly linked to the country’s security crisis.

Charanchi said, “There is nothing natural about dying in the hands of bandits.

“A man abducted from his home or along the road and held captive by criminals did not die a natural death, he died because the state failed in its most sacred responsibility: protecting the lives and property of its citizens.”

Charanchi said the death of a retired Major General in captivity raised serious questions about the safety of ordinary Nigerians.

“When even a retired major general can be kidnapped and perish in captivity, what hope remains for ordinary Nigerians? This tragedy is a damning indictment of the worsening insecurity ravaging our nation. No amount of official wording can whitewash this painful reality,” he stated.

According to him, the incident underscored what he called the collapse of security and the authorities’ inability to adequately protect citizens.

Charanchi prayed for the repose of the late officer’s soul and asked Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

He also prayed for strength and comfort for the bereaved family. The CNG leader urged leaders at all levels to confront insecurity with sincerity, courage and determination.

“We pray that Allah blesses Nigeria with sincere, courageous and compassionate leaders who will confront insecurity with honesty, determination and unwavering commitment, so that no family will have to endure such a tragedy again,” he added.