Isyaka Rabe, one of the sons of the late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, has challenged the Katsina State Government’s claim that his father died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension, insisting the former military officer had never suffered from either illness.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle on Sunday, Isyaka dismissed reports linking his father’s death to diabetes, saying the family does not believe that was the cause.
According to him, some people who watched the last video released by the kidnappers speculated that the retired general may have been bitten by a snake. However, he maintained that no one knows exactly what led to his father’s death except God.
“I do not believe diabetes caused his death. From our own understanding, it may have been a heart attack. His legs were restrained, and there have been different accounts of what happened. Ultimately, only God knows the truth,” he said.
He described his late father as a humble, peace-loving and deeply religious man, adding that he died a hero.
Addressing questions about how the family recovered the body, Isyaka said he had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding its release.
He explained that after announcing the funeral arrangements, many people asked how the remains were retrieved, but he could only direct such inquiries to the government because he had no information on the matter.
Isyaka also refuted reports circulating on social media that his mother, who was abducted alongside the retired general, had regained her freedom.
He stressed that she remains in the custody of the kidnappers, describing claims of her release as false.
The abduction of Major General Abubakar and his wife was announced on May 30 after they were seized by bandits while travelling.
Days later, the kidnappers released a four-minute video in which they demanded the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly confiscated during security operations as conditions for freeing the couple. The video showed the retired general and his wife appealing to the Katsina State Government to meet those demands.
On Saturday, the Katsina State Government confirmed the death of the retired officer, describing it as a major loss to both the state and the nation. Authorities stated that he died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.