Son Disputes Govt’s Claim, Says Abducted General Had No Diabetes History

​KATSINA, Nigeria – Fresh controversy has emerged over the tragic demise of the former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), who died in the custody of bandits in Katsina State.

​One of the late general’s sons, Isyaka Rabe, has openly rejected the official narrative presented by the Katsina State Government regarding the cause of his father’s death.

​Family Rejects Official Health Claims

​Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle on Sunday, Isyaka strongly disputed reports attributing his father’s passing to underlying medical conditions.

​The Katsina State Government, through its Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu, had earlier announced on Saturday that the retired senior military officer passed away from “natural causes,” specifically complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.

​However, Isyaka insisted that his late father had no medical history of either ailment.

​“I truly don’t believe it was diabetes. In our view, it was a heart attack. If you look at it, his legs were restrained. Moreover, some people said that he was walking, and he didn’t die, so God knows, since only God is the knower,” Isyaka stated.

​He further noted that speculation has circulated among the public, with some viewing the final video released by the terrorists and suggesting the general may have succumbed to a snake bite. He maintained, however, that the family suspects a heart attack brought on by the grueling conditions of captivity.

​Uncertainty Surrounds Body Recovery and Captive Wife

​The late general, who was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in the Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, was buried on Saturday evening following Janaza prayers.

​When questioned on how the family received the retired general’s remains, Isyaka disclosed that the dynamics of the recovery were kept under wraps.

​”When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and that they should direct such questions to the government,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

​Isyaka also forcefully debunked social media rumours claiming that his mother had been set free. While conflicting reports from security circles hinted that she may have been released alongside the general’s corpse, Isyaka declared unequivocally that she remains in the den of the terrorists.

​”Whoever says she has been released, I, Isyaka Rabe, son of Major General Rabe, I say that is a lie; she has not been released. Right now, she is still in their custody,” he added.

​Federal Government Maintains Stance Against Ransom

​The high-profile abduction took a grim turn on June 6 when the bandits released a four-minute video of the couple. In the footage, the captors demanded the release of three detained insurgent fighters—identified as Sani and two others—alongside the return of livestock seized during military operations.

​In a swift reaction to the general’s death, President Bola Tinubu expressed deep sorrow but reaffirmed the federal government’s uncompromising stance against negotiating with terror syndicates.

​Through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President warned that the window for bandits and sponsors of terror to surrender would not remain open indefinitely, and declared that the state would not be blackmailed into concessions or prisoner swaps.

​Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), which had previously kept operational details silent to safeguard rescue efforts, has pledged to intensify sweeping military counter-operations across the region to bring the perpetrators to justice and secure the release of all remaining captives.