The Defence Headquarters has assured that those responsible for the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar will be tracked down and brought to justice, following a condolence visit to Katsina State by a senior military delegation.
The delegation, led by Major General I.M. Abdullahi, Chief Administration Officer at the Defence Headquarters, met with the Katsina State Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, who received them on behalf of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and the people of the state.
Other members of the team included senior serving and retired military officers drawn from different branches of the armed forces.
Speaking during the visit, Major General Abdullahi conveyed the condolences of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Defence Headquarters over the tragic death of the retired officer, describing him as a dedicated soldier whose contributions to national service would remain memorable.
He noted that the loss extended beyond the deceased’s family and Katsina State, stressing that the entire nation had been affected by the incident.
The military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing security operations, promising continued collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure that those linked to the killing are identified and prosecuted.
According to Abdullahi, the armed forces share in the grief of the bereaved family and remain determined to support efforts aimed at combating insecurity and delivering justice.
In his response, Deputy Governor Jobe thanked the Defence Headquarters for the show of solidarity, describing the visit as a source of comfort to the state during a difficult period.
He reiterated the Katsina State Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with security agencies in the fight against banditry and other violent crimes.
Jobe also called for sustained military operations across affected communities, maintaining that protecting lives and property remains a top priority of the administration.
The visit concluded with a minute of silence in honour of the late Major General Abubakar, whose death has continued to attract condolences from across the country.
The retired military officer was abducted alongside his wife on May 30, 2026, while travelling along the Katsina–Matazu road on his way to his hometown.
Katsina State authorities later announced that he died in captivity after reportedly suffering complications related to diabetes and hypertension.
He was laid to rest on Saturday evening at Gidan Dawa Cemetery in Katsina, where family members, military personnel, government officials and sympathisers gathered to pay their final respects.