A week after they were kidnapped in Katsina State, the abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former military spokesman, and his wife, have released a video showing the couple pleading with the government and traditional rulers to accept the demands of the kidnappers so as to facilitate their release.
The former military spokesman and his wife were reportedly abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.
In the four-minute video circulating on social media, the wife of the retired general appealed to the authorities and community leaders to facilitate their release by addressing the demands made by their captors.
According to her, the abductors are demanding the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, whom they claimed were being held by security agencies. She also stated that the kidnappers were seeking the return of 200 cows allegedly seized from them.
The woman said two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was apprehended in Kano.
“We are pleading with you. Please help us, help us for the sake of Allah. These people have a serious complaint. Three of their children have been kidnapped: Aminu, Sani, and Nasiru. They want them released. Also, their livestock was taken. Two hundred cows were stolen from them,” she said in the video.
“We are begging you for the sake of Allah, for the sake of Allah! Anyone who has any influence or power in this matter — anyone whom Allah has placed in a position of authority, especially the leaders of Katsina State — we are begging you, please help us. Intervene and grant this request so that our own request can also be granted and our children can be released.”
“These three children, we beg you to help free them. Two were kidnapped from here in their own area, and the third was taken separately in Kano State.”
“We hope that the responsible leaders — whoever has these animals in their possession — will help release these children. We are also begging you, for the sake of Allah, to return their livestock to them.”
“If the children and the animals are returned, then we will hold a meeting to establish peace. We want this area to have peace. Everyone — especially the poor — should be happy again. People should return to their farms and live in peace and tranquillity, without trouble or fear.”
Speaking briefly in the video, Major General Abubakar called for efforts aimed at restoring peace, noting that the abductors had indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue and pursue peaceful coexistence. The retired officer, who once served as Director of Defence Information, urged stakeholders to explore avenues that could lead to a peaceful resolution of the situation.
Reports also indicated that a notorious bandit leader, identified as Kachallah Muhammad, who is said to operate in parts of Katsina State, has reportedly established communication with the family of the retired general regarding the abduction.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor relevant security agencies had issued an official statement in response to the video or the demands reportedly made by the abductors.
