Tears As Retired General Rabe Abubakar Buried After Dying In Captivity

Tears As Retired General Rabe Abubakar Buried After Dying In Captivity
He died while being held captive after a bandit attack.
His death renewed concerns over worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar was laid to rest on Saturday evening in Katsina State amid an outpouring of grief from family members, friends, military personnel, government officials and sympathisers following his death while in bandits’ captivity.

The late senior military officer was buried at about 6:00 p.m. at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery, located opposite his residence in Katsina metropolis, after funeral prayers attended by a large number of mourners.

Among those present at the burial were senior government officials, security chiefs, top military officers, traditional title holders, political associates, relatives and other well-wishers who gathered to pay their final respects.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Abubakar was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, while travelling to his hometown along the Katsina-Matazu Road. His death has renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of northern Nigeria, where banditry and kidnappings continue to pose significant challenges.

Many mourners described the retired general’s death as a painful reminder of the insecurity confronting citizens despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle criminal activities.

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

However, the explanation sparked reactions from some groups and stakeholders who argued that the circumstances surrounding his death could not be separated from the fact that he had been abducted and held by bandits.

Reacting to the development, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) rejected suggestions that the retired military officer died a natural death.

“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,” he said.

Charanchi said the death of a retired Major General while in captivity raised serious concerns 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.

The CNG spokesman offered prayers for the late officer and his family, while calling on leaders at all levels to confront insecurity with sincerity, courage and commitment.

Tears As Retired General Rabe Abubakar Buried After Dying In Captivity

“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.