The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife have reportedly demanded the release of detained associates as a condition for freeing the couple, marking a significant development in the high-profile kidnapping case in Katsina State.
According to videos circulated by the kidnappers, the retired military officer and his wife appealed to government authorities to intervene and facilitate their release. In the footage, the abductors’ demands were relayed through the victims themselves.
The kidnappers are reportedly demanding the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru, whom they claim are being held by security agencies. They also allegedly want the return of livestock said to have been confiscated from them.
Security and community sources indicate that the armed group is seeking a prisoner exchange rather than a traditional cash ransom, a tactic that analysts say could signal an evolution in the demands of some bandit networks operating in northwestern Nigeria.
Major General Abubakar and his wife were abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State after gunmen intercepted their vehicle. The attack left their driver wounded, while the couple were taken into captivity.
The case has attracted national attention because of Abubakar’s previous role as Director of Defence Information and his long military career. In the video, the retired officer reportedly stated that he and his wife were alive and appealed for efforts to secure peace and their release.
As of the latest reports, neither the Katsina State Government nor federal security agencies have publicly indicated whether they are considering the kidnappers’ demands.
The incident highlights the continuing insecurity in parts of northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups frequently engage in kidnappings, cattle rustling, and attacks on communities. Security experts warn that prisoner-swap demands present difficult policy choices for governments, which must balance efforts to save hostages with concerns about encouraging future abductions.
Search operations and intelligence efforts to secure the release of the retired general and his wife are reportedly ongoing.
