Fresh controversy has emerged over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, as members of his family have disputed claims by the Katsina State Government that the former military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), one of the deceased’s sons, Isyaka Rabe, said his father had no history of diabetes or high blood pressure, describing reports linking his death to those illnesses as inaccurate.
According to him, the family does not believe the official explanation provided by the state government reflects the reality of what happened to the late general during his captivity.
“My father did not have diabetes or high blood pressure,” Isyaka said, adding that the family had never been aware of any such medical condition.
He noted that some people suspected the retired officer may have died from a snake bite, citing the last video reportedly released by the kidnappers before news of his death emerged.
However, he admitted that the actual circumstances surrounding his father’s death remain unclear.
“Some people believe he died from a snake bite based on the last video released by the kidnappers, but only God knows what truly happened,” he said.
The Katsina State Government had earlier announced that the retired military officer died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension while in the custody of bandits who abducted him along with his wife on May 30, 2026, on the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area.
The government stated that despite efforts by security agencies and authorities to secure his release, the retired general died before rescue efforts could succeed.
Reacting to questions regarding the recovery of his father’s body, Isyaka said the family had not been informed of the circumstances under which the remains were retrieved.
“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people asked me how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and advised them to direct such questions to the government,” he said.
He also dismissed reports circulating on social media suggesting that his mother, who was abducted alongside the late general, had regained her freedom.
According to him, she remains in captivity.
“Take it from me, our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released,” he stated.
The family’s position was further reinforced by one of the late officer’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, who earlier challenged the official account on social media.
In a post on her X account, @Addahaleem, she maintained that her father did not suffer from diabetes and insisted that a snake bite was responsible for his death.
The conflicting accounts have raised fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the death of the retired senior military officer, whose passing while in captivity has sparked widespread concern over the security situation in parts of northern Nigeria.
Major General Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, was buried in Katsina on Saturday amid an outpouring of grief from family members, military colleagues, government officials and sympathisers.
He was widely remembered as a dedicated military officer who served the country in various capacities and contributed significantly to national security and public service.
While the exact cause of his death remains disputed, his family continues to seek clarity on the events leading to his demise and the status of his wife, who remains in the hands of the abductors.
