A retired Nigerian Army officer, Rabe Abubakar, and his wife, Amina Abubakar, have appeared in a video released by their captors after they were abducted along the Matazu highway in Katsina State.
The couple was reportedly kidnapped on May 30 while travelling from Abuja to Katsina for a wedding ceremony. According to reports, gunmen ambushed their vehicle near Zakin Baure village, while their driver escaped despite sustaining a gunshot wound to the hand.
In the video, the retired general and his wife appeared unharmed as they appealed to authorities and community leaders to facilitate their release. They reportedly conveyed a demand from a bandit leader identified as Kachalla Maha, who is seeking the release of some of his associates in exchange for the couple’s freedom.
The development has sparked widespread concern and renewed discussions about the security situation in northern Nigeria, particularly the growing threat posed by bandit groups.
Reacting to the video, many Nigerians questioned how criminal groups continue to operate and issue demands despite ongoing security operations.
@PatrioticNGRN
“Why are they looking so clean? Were they in the bush or at home somewhere?”
@FaceCapFarmer
“This bandits no rate federal government at all….”
@CoachDEO_
“The bandit u refused to kpai today will kidnapp u or any of ur family members tomorrow. Use ur head. No need to run any video.”
@shettyumar
“Nigeria is already a failed state you can see how criminals in and out of government are having a field day with impunity.”
@Imani_mii
“Are these bandits stronger than the government? It’s one heartbreaking video after another. When will this end?”
@vincent_onas
“Please can someone tell me…..how come our security the DSS & co av not b able to trace these animals down? But, if na ordinary citizens dem go nu hw to trace!”
@faisaldollars
“So embarrassing Nigeria is no more a country so sad.”
@WorldFamousLuca
“Tinubu meet insecurity. Tinubu can not solve insecurity. You are saying he should continue. He is not the first to have insecurity problems as president. That is why tinubu must go. Insecurity should not be normalized. Tinubu failed. No excuse.”
