Nigerian General, Wife Abducted in Katsina

A retired Nigerian Major General, Rabe Abubakar, and his wife were abducted by armed individuals on Saturday in Katsina State, northwestern Nigeria. The incident occurred while they were traveling, highlighting persistent security challenges in the region.

Maj. Gen. Abubakar, who served as military spokesman from 2015 to 2017, was taken from his vehicle. The Nigerian army has confirmed the abduction and initiated efforts to locate the couple and apprehend their captors. No group has claimed responsibility, and the army awaits contact from the kidnappers.

This abduction follows a pattern of criminal activity in northwestern Nigeria, where groups locally known as "bandits" frequently conduct kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling, and attacks on rural communities. Katsina State is among the areas most affected by this violence. The Nigerian government has intensified measures to curb kidnappings, including discouraging ransom payments, but such incidents continue.