Hajiya Amina Abubakar remains in captivity nearly two weeks after her husband, retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, died while being held by bandits in Katsina State. The couple was abducted on May 30, 2026, when their vehicle was ambushed on the Marabar Musawa, Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area. In a video released during their captivity, both were seen standing as Amina relayed the abductors' demands, which included the release of three men—Sani, Aminu and Nasiru—two of whom were arrested in Jikamshi and one in Kano. She appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to meet the conditions for their release.
Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu'azu, confirmed Rabe's death in a statement issued on Saturday, attributing it to complications from diabetes and hypertension. "The Katsina State Government, with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss, wishes to inform the general public of the tragic passing of Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar," the statement read. However, Mu'azu did not confirm Amina's release, sparking concern for her safety. Security sources told Daily Trust that rescue efforts were ongoing but declined to provide details or a timeline.
Bandit leader Kachalla Muhammad, in an audio message, said he had planned to release Amina but reversed the decision due to increased security presence in the area. "I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind," he said. He also demanded the release of three individuals allegedly in government custody and the return of cattle seized during operations in Jikamshi, claiming compliance could lead to peace and stop attacks in the region.
Kachalla Muhammad claims he wanted to release Amina Abubakar but backed out because security forces were mobilized, yet his conditions for peace require the release of detainees and return of seized property. The bandit leader's demand for concessions to allow a release he never completed exposes the one-sided nature of the negotiation. Amina Abubakar's continued captivity shows that the state's security response has not translated into tangible outcomes for victims. Her fate now depends on the same actors whose actions have only deepened the crisis.
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