Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Nigerian military confirmed the abduction of a high-ranking Nigerian military officer and his wife by armed men in the northwest of the country. Major General Rabi Abu Bakar, who served as a prominent military spokesperson from 2015 to 2017, was kidnapped from his vehicle on Saturday while traveling in Katsina State.
A military spokesperson stated that efforts are currently underway to rescue the couple and track down their abductors. The military reported that no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping that occurred on Saturday, and they are still awaiting contact from the kidnappers with the victim’s family.
Local reports indicate that the retired general was en route to Katsina to attend a wedding when armed men attacked his vehicle. Reports noted that Abu Bakar’s driver managed to escape despite being shot, while the assailants took the former military spokesperson and his wife to an unknown location.
This kidnapping comes days after another bloody attack in Katsina State. On Friday, armed men raided the village of Kiliya in the Dutsinma area, resulting in at least 16 deaths. The police have not yet commented on the reported killings.
Residents stated that the attack occurred shortly after Friday prayers, as people were gathering to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday. Security agencies had issued warnings about the potential for attacks during the celebrations, prompting some state governments to take measures aimed at reducing large public gatherings and enhancing security.
This abduction highlights the ongoing security challenges facing parts of northwest Nigeria, where criminal gangs known locally as “bandits” engage in frequent kidnappings for ransom, as well as cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities.
Some armed groups have also become active in the region. A camp allegedly linked to a religious group in Sokoto State was targeted in a U.S. airstrike on December 25 of last year. Katsina is among the states most affected by violence.
The neighboring Zamfara State has experienced years of similar violence, where some communities have previously sought to negotiate peace with armed groups, efforts that have not succeeded in achieving lasting stability. The government has intensified its efforts to curb kidnappings, including measures aimed at reducing ransom payments. However, attacks have continued.
