Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information and one of Nigeria’s most prominent military spokespersons, was kidnapped alongside his wife on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. along the Katsina–Matazu road in Matazu Local Government Area, Katsina State, while the couple was travelling to Katsina town. Armed men intercepted their vehicle, opened fire, and took both victims to an unknown location.

Their driver managed to escape but sustained a gunshot injury. He was first treated at a primary healthcare facility in Matazu before being transferred to Katsina for further care. The couple’s red Peugeot 504 was later recovered by police and parked at the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters.

During his service, Maj-Gen Abubakar played a key role in defence communication and briefed the media on Armed Forces’ counterinsurgency operations. The abduction has raised fresh concerns over rising insecurity in North-West Nigeria, especially Katsina where bandit attacks on travellers continue.

Katsina State Police Command spokesperson Abubakar Aliyu confirmed the incident and said operatives including the VCRU have launched a search-and-rescue operation, combing surrounding bushes. An internal security alert reportedly shared by retired Brigadier General Sagir Musa also called for urgent action to secure the couple’s release.

As of the time of reporting, neither the Defence Headquarters nor Katsina authorities had issued a full official statement, and no ransom demand has been confirmed publicly.