Abductors have released a video showing retired Nigerian Army Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, days after the couple was kidnapped along the Matazu highway in Katsina State.
The footage, which has circulated on social media, is the first public indication that the couple remains alive since their abduction. In the video, the retired military officer and his wife appeared to appeal for assistance while in captivity.
Major General Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information and spokesperson for the Nigerian Armed Forces, was reportedly travelling to Katsina with his wife on May 30 when armed men attacked their vehicle near the Matazu axis. Their driver was said to have sustained gunshot injuries but escaped, while the couple was taken away by the attackers.
Reports suggest that the abductors are making demands in connection with the couple’s release, although security authorities have yet to officially confirm the details. Security agencies are continuing efforts to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend those responsible.
The incident has renewed concerns over the security situation in parts of Nigeria’s North-West region, where kidnappings and attacks by armed groups continue to pose significant challenges despite ongoing counter-banditry operations.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the video released by the abductors. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.