Major General Abubakar Rabe (rtd) and his wife, who were kidnapped along the Karaduwa–Matazu Road in Katsina State one week ago, have appealed to the government to intervene and secure their freedom.
The kidnappers released a video showing the couple while in captivity.
In the four-minute, two-second clip that circulated on social media, the pair were seen standing and communicating the conditions presented by their captors.
Speaking in the footage, the wife of the retired military officer relayed the abductors’ request for the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru.
The kidnappers also requested the return of livestock they claimed had been confiscated from them.
According to her narration, two of the individuals being held were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was apprehended in Kano.
She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and traditional leaders across five local government areas to help ensure compliance with the demands to facilitate their release.
The retired major general, who spoke briefly in the recording, appealed for efforts aimed at restoring peace, noting that the abductors had indicated a willingness for dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Throughout the recording, no demand for ransom was made.
As of the time this report was filed, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had released any official statement concerning the video issued by the abductors.
The retired army officer was reportedly travelling to Katsina on Saturday with his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, when their vehicle came under attack along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area.
The incident occurred near Zakin Baure village, where eyewitnesses said armed men suspected to be bandits emerged from concealment, blocked the roadway and fired at the vehicle, forcing it to stop.
According to media reports, the driver sustained a gunshot wound to the hand during the attack but was later spared by the assailants.
Notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, was said to have initiated contact with relatives of the victims.
Sources informed our correspondent that the bandit commander, who operates in parts of Katsina State, established communication with the family of the retired general on Monday morning.
