‘We buried our father without our mother; Gen. Rabe had no history of diabetes’ –Son

Family members, relatives, friends and residents have expressed concern over the continued detention of the widow of late Major General Abubakar Rabe (rtd), who remains at the hands of bandits days after the retired officer died in their custody.

The General’s death has generated widespread anger over insecurity in the country amidst calls for investigations into the trillions of naira allocated annually to defence and security operations.

Gen. Rabe was abducted alongside his wife, Hajiya Amina, by bandits on May 30 along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The retired army general died in captivity from complications related to diabetes and hypertension, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu.

But his family members and other sources countered the claim, saying the late major general had no history of diabetes.

They maintained that he died after being bitten by a snake while being held captive by the kidnappers.

His remains were buried on Saturday in Katsina according to Islamic rites after a funeral prayer attended by family members, senior military officers, government officials and residents.

Before his death, the retired general appeared in a video released by his captors, who demanded the release of some detained bandits and the return of seized livestock.

Gen. Rabe, who spoke briefly in the footage, appealed for efforts to promote peace, saying the abductors had indicated a willingness to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking with Daily Trust after his burial, his children said their father’s abduction and death in bandits’ den exposed the failure of the Nigerian state to protect its citizens.

The children said they were still struggling to come to terms with how a man who spent decades defending the nation could be abducted and left to die at the hands of bandits.

Recounting the family’s ordeal, Khadija Rabe Abubakar, said they initially believed their parents would be rescued alive.

“When we heard the news of our father’s death, we were shocked and heartbroken because we had hoped they would be rescued alive and unharmed, based on assurances from many quarters.

“We buried our father without our mother by our side. That pain is indescribable. Every day she remains in captivity deepens our trauma,” Khadija said amid tears.

She described the situation as emotionally devastating and appealed to security agencies to make the rescue of their mother a top priority.

“We are not asking for sympathy or special treatment. We are asking for responsibility. She must be rescued alive, and she must be rescued now. Every delay tells Nigerians that human lives no longer matter,” she said.

One of his sons, Isyaku Rabe Abubakar, said: “Our father devoted his entire adult life to the service of Nigeria.

“He served in difficult terrains, confronted armed enemies and endured years of separation from his family in defence of this country. It is painful and ironic that after all those sacrifices, the same country could not save him.”

A community leader in Katsina, Alhaji Halle Tudun Yanshanu, said rescuing the widow would be a fitting way to honour the late general’s service to the nation.

“If the government truly wants to show respect for this man’s sacrifice, then his wife must be brought back safely. Anything less will further weaken public trust,” he said.

A family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said efforts were once made to negotiate with the kidnappers.

“There was an attempt to negotiate. Six million naira was agreed upon, and one million naira was paid.

“But when they realised our father’s status, everything changed. That was when they began demanding the release of their members and the return of seized livestock,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Defence Headquarters, led by Major General I.M. Abdullahi on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, paid a condolence visit to the family at their Katsina residence on Sunday.

When contacted, the leader of the delegation said their mission was solely to sympathise with the family and declined to comment on broader security issues.

Late Gen. Rabe had no history of diabetes – Son

Isyaku, Gen. Rabe’s son, said that his father had no history of diabetes or high blood pressure, contrary to claims attributed to the Katsina State Government.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Isyaku said reports suggesting that his father died as a result of diabetes were inaccurate.

He noted that some people believed the late general may have died from a snake bite, based on the last video released by the kidnappers.

However, he said only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death.

While praying for the repose of his father’s soul, Isyaka described him as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life. He added that the late general died a hero.

When asked how the family received his father’s remains, Isyaka said he had no information on the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the body.

“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I do not know and that they should direct such questions to the government,” he said.

Also, debunking a viral photo purported to be the corpse of the late General handed over by bandits, a credible source told Daily Trust that the body was dumped by road side of Karaduwa village inside some sacks and was later picked up by an ambulance sent by Katsina State Government and moved to Katsina for burial.

“Surprisingly security agencies this early morning raided the village ransacking every household and setting ablaze many houses. Karadua is close to where he and his wife were abducted. I learnt they couldn’t find any incriminating evidence. So sad,” the source added.

Daily Trust