EXCLUSIVE: Family Disputes Official Account of Retired General's Death in Bandit Captivity Children Say He Was Not Diabetic, Allege Snake Bite Killed Him

The family of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari has flatly rejected the Katsina State Government's official explanation of his death in bandit captivity, with his son and daughter publicly contradicting the government's claim that he died from complications of diabetes and hypertension.

The retired general and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State while travelling through the area. He later died while in the custody of his abductors.

In a statement issued after his death, Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu'azu, said: "It is with profound sadness that we confirm the General's death while in bandits' captivity. The deceased retired general died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension." But the family has refused to accept that account.

Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), the late general's son, Isyaka Rabe, said reports suggesting that his father died as a result of diabetes were inaccurate, adding that his father had no history of diabetes or high blood pressure. "I truly don't believe it was diabetes. In our view, it was a heart attack. If you look at it, his legs were restrained," Isyaka said.

"Some people said it was a snake bite, while others mentioned tetanus. Only Allah knows the exact cause of his death," he added.

Adding to the family's position, one of the late general's daughters, Adda Abubakar, earlier took to her X handle, @Addahaleem, to refute claims that her father suffered from diabetes, insisting that a snake bite was the actual cause of his death while in captivity.

Isyaka also revealed that the family was completely kept in the dark by official channels regarding the circumstances under which the late general's body was recovered.

Despite the grief, the family has been resolute in demanding accountability. "We will not forgive those behind this act," Isyaka declared, speaking to journalists in Katsina. "We believe what happened to our father was destined by Allah. We believe he died a martyr and will be granted a place in Paradise." He described the late general as a mentor, deeply religious man and humble personality who lived peacefully.

Major General Rabe Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information the spokesperson of the Defence Headquarters between 2015 and 2017, during which time he played a prominent role in communicating the military's operations against Boko Haram insurgents and other security threats.

The retired general and his wife, Amina Abubakar, were reportedly travelling to attend a wedding when armed men ambushed their vehicle near Zakin Baure village. Their driver reportedly sustained gunshot injuries but escaped from the scene.

Tragically, his wife remains in captivity as of the time of this report. The contradiction between the government's official statement and the family's testimony raises deeply troubling questions

not only about the true circumstances of the general's death, but about the transparency of state authorities in handling high-profile kidnapping cases in Nigeria's North West. If a man of the late general's stature, a retired senior military officer who once spoke for the nation's Defence Headquarters, could be abducted, killed in captivity, and his death misrepresented by official sources, ordinary Nigerians can have little confidence in either their security or the integrity of official accounts.

The family has called for a transparent and independent investigation into the true cause of death. As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Government had not addressed the family's specific allegations.

Sources: Deutsche Welle (DW) interview with Isyaka Rabe; X post by Adda Abubakar (@Addahaleem); Daily Trust; Daily Post Nigeria; Premium Times; Legit.ng; PM News Nigeria; BusinessDay NG.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.

International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP

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