Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar was laid to rest on Saturday evening in Katsina amid emotional scenes as family members, military personnel, government officials and sympathisers gathered to pay their final respects.
The late military officer was buried at about 6:00 p.m. at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery, opposite his residence in Katsina metropolis, following funeral prayers attended by a large crowd of mourners.
Among those present were senior government officials, security chiefs, serving and retired military officers, traditional rulers, political associates, relatives and well-wishers.
The burial came against the backdrop of growing concern over insecurity in northern Nigeria. Many mourners described the retired general’s death while in captivity as a painful reflection of the security challenges confronting the country and renewed calls for stronger action against banditry and kidnapping.
General Abubakar was abducted alongside his wife on 30 May 2026 while travelling to his hometown along the Katsina–Matazu road.
According to Nasiru Mu’azu, the retired officer died in captivity from complications related to diabetes and hypertension.
However, the explanation was rejected by Coalition of Northern Groups, whose representative, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, argued that there was “nothing natural” about a death that occurred while a victim was being held by kidnappers.
Charanchi said the incident highlighted the severity of Nigeria’s security crisis, questioning how ordinary citizens could feel safe if a retired major general could be kidnapped and die in captivity. He described the tragedy as a stark indictment of the country’s worsening insecurity and urged authorities to take decisive action against banditry and other violent crimes.
He also offered prayers for the deceased and called on leaders at all levels to address insecurity with sincerity, courage and determination to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The death of General Abubakar has intensified public debate about the effectiveness of current security measures and the urgent need to improve the protection of lives and property across northern Nigeria.