*Questions Linger Over Real Cause Of Abubakar’s Death, Recovery Of Body

WIFE of the late former Director of Defence Information (DDI) at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Maj-Gen. Rabe Abubakar (rtd), who was kidnapped a few weeks ago along with her husband, Amina, has been rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army, with the support of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

    Abubakar and Amina were abducted on May 30, along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Council of Katsina State.

    A statement on Monday, June 15, by the current DDI, Maj-Gen. Samaila Uba, said the operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts conducted by troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA. Adding that following sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements, troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga Village, leading to the successful recovery of Mrs. Abubakar.

    “In the course of the encounter, the bandits shot Mrs. Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing due to the overwhelming pressure from advancing troops.

    “Mrs. Abubakar was immediately evacuated and is currently receiving medical attention at a military hospital, where she is responding to treatment.” 

    The military hierarchy restated commitment to ensuring her full recovery and was providing all necessary support to her family during this difficult period, adding: “Troops will continue ongoing operations to track down and neutralise the perpetrators, while intensifying efforts to rid affected communities of terrorists not just in Katsina but in the entire nation.” 

    Recall that the Katsina State Government, in a statement announcing his death, on Friday, June 12, by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Muazu, said: “It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General’s death while in bandits’ captivity.

    “Despite the relentless and concerted efforts of the state government and various security agencies to secure his safe release, the situation ended in this tragedy.”

    The government said Abubakar’s abduction and subsequent death represented a significant loss not only to his immediate family and Katsina State, but also to Nigeria as a whole.

    Governor Dikko Umaru Radda extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and the country, describing the incident as a dark moment that underscored the need for stronger collaboration in tackling insecurity.

    He said the tragedy serves as a reminder of the urgent need for a collective and intensified response against criminal elements threatening peace and security across communities, reiterating his government’s commitment to working closely with the federal government and security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are brought to justice.

    He assured residents that efforts to combat banditry and restore lasting peace across the state would continue unabated, while praying for the repose of the late Abubakar’s soul and comfort for his family during the difficult period of mourning.

    His death comes just days after he, alongside his wife, appeared in a viral video pleading to the state government to heed to the bandits’ demands in exchange for his freedom.

    Following Abubakar’s death in captivity, the Defence Headquarters’ Joint Task Force Northwest, under Operation Fansan Yamma, launched a major offensive operation, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep III, targeting terrorists and bandits operating in Matazu Local Council neighbouring communities in Katsina State.

    According to a statement on Monday by the operation’s Media Information Officer, Lt-Col. Aliyu Danja, the operation commenced on June 14, to locate and neutralise those responsible for the attack, dismantle criminal networks and restore security across the affected communities.

    The late senior military officer was laid to rest on Sunday, June 14, about 6p.m., at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery, located opposite his residence in Katsina metropolis, following funeral prayers attended by a large crowd of mourners.

    Since the operation’s launch, troops said they had carried out aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions across identified terrorist hideouts and suspected criminal enclaves within the joint operations area.

    The statement said troops achieved significant successes during operations around the Dikkawa Hills and nearby communities, adding: “Clearance missions conducted in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa led to the discovery and destruction of several terrorist hideouts, logistics bases and other life-support structures used by the criminal groups, further weakening their operational capabilities.”

     The military noted that the offensive was being conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders, whose support has contributed to ongoing efforts to improve security in the state.

    The Theatre Command reassured residents of Matazu and surrounding communities of its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and denying terrorists and bandits freedom of movement within the region, urging the public to continue providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending criminal elements, assuring that all information received would be treated confidentially.

    The Command vowed to sustain pressure on terrorists and bandits until the objectives of Operation Clean Sweep III were fully achieved, with further updates to be provided as the operation progresses.

    A statement on Saturday by Muazu said the retired senior military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension during his captivity.

   However, the circumstances surrounding his death remained a subject of controversy, leaving many questions unanswered, as his son, Isyaka, has rejected the claims on cause of death, insisting his father had no history of either condition.

    In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Isyaka described reports attributing his father’s death to diabetes as inaccurate, saying some people, citing the last video released by the kidnappers, believe he may have died from a snake bite.

    While stressing that only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death, he added: “I truly don’t believe it was diabetes. In our view, it was a heart attack.

    “If you look at it, his legs were restrained. Moreover, some people said that he was walking, and he didn’t die, so God knows.”

    Another brewing doubt is how his body was recovered after death in captivity, with contradictory accounts deepening the controversy over how his remains were recovered.

    Premium Times, quoting a security source, said the kidnappers had directed state government officials to a location near the Karaduwa community, where they handed over the body before it was conveyed to Katsina under military escort.

    The source said an ambulance was then sent Karaduwa, with those involved in the recovery reportedly instructed not to bring security personnel to the location.

    According to the account, the ambulance was directed to a location near Karaduwa Bridge, from where the crew was instructed to turn the vehicle around towards the Matazu direction before the kidnappers arrived on motorcycles with the body.

    “After the driver turned the ambulance, they came with the corpse on motorcycles and handed it over,” the source said.

    According to him, the kidnappers instructed those present not to touch the body until they had left the area, and the remains were subsequently conveyed to Matazu, after which military personnel escorted the ambulance conveying the body to Katsina.

    “While returning home, I saw an ambulance escorted by soldiers conveying the corpse to Katsina,” the source said.

   That newspaper said it could not independently verify the account.

    The source added that some residents initially reported that the body had been abandoned near Karaduwa and later discovered by locals, a version that circulated within the community before details of the alleged handover emerged.

    However, another source from the area, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, corroborated the earlier account, insisting the body was found by locals near a sawmill in Karaduwa.

    “Near the area where they have machines used for cutting wood for people who buy and sell, that was where it was dumped.

    “The locals later discovered the body and notified security personnel, who came, identified the remains and picked them up in an ambulance escorted by the army to Katsina.”

    Premium Times could also not independently verify that account.

  Isyaka, in the interview, said the family remained uncertain about how the body was recovered, noting: “When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and that they should direct such questions to the government.

    “I myself want to know how the body was recovered without rescuing her.”