A former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (retd.) and his wife have reportedly been abducted by suspected terrorists along the Matazu axis of Katsina State.
The retired senior military officer and his wife were said to be travelling to Katsina when armed men intercepted them on Saturday.
Sources who spoke with Sahara Reporters said the abduction occurred within Matazu Local Government Area, an area that has recorded repeated attacks by armed groups in recent years.
A source familiar with the incident said Abubakar’s driver escaped from the scene after sustaining a gunshot injury.
“Maj. Gen. R. Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today. He was kidnapped along Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. His driver escaped with a gunshot injury,” the source said.
The source added that the vehicle involved in the incident, a red Peugeot 504 assigned to the retired officer, was later recovered.
According to the source, the vehicle is currently parked at the Matazu Divisional Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The senior officer’s Peugeot 504, red in colour, is parked at the Matazu Division of the Nigeria Police Force,” the source added.
A message reportedly circulated among security and military contacts also raised the alarm over the incident and called for urgent intervention by relevant authorities.
The message read, “Maj Gen R Abubakar, former Dir Def Info, was kidnapped together with his wife on his way to Katsina today. He was kidnapped along Matazu LGA of KTS. His driver escaped with gunshot injury. The Snr offr Peugeot 504 Red in color is parked at Matazu Div NPF. Plse pass to authorities as appropriate.”