Gen Rabe’s Widow Regains Freedom

Hajiya Amina Abubakar, the widow of Major General Abubakar Rabe (rtd), has regained freedom.

She was abducted alongside her late husband on May 30, 2026.

Their vehicle was ambushed along Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, when they were travelling for a wedding.

One week later, the duo were seen in a video where their captors made some demands as conditions for their release.

In the four-minute, two-second video circulated on social media, the widow conveyed the abductors’ demand for the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu, and Nasiru.

According to her account, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was arrested in Kano.

She further appealed to the Katsina State Government and the leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands in order to secure their release.

But surprisingly on Saturday, the death of her husband was announced while the kidnappers refused to release her.

However on Monday, troops reportedly went on trail of the bandits and engaged them in gun battle, leading to the release of the widow.

Details of the incident are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

Last week, Kachalla Muhammad, a bandit kingpin, had said he did not release the widow as he had promised because he did not want security agencies to take credit for it.

In an audio message, Kachalla said he suspended the plan because of the heavy presence of security personnel in the area.

The bandit leader said he had initially indicated willingness to release the retired general’s widow, but later declined because of security operations in the area.

He had said, “I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind.”

Kachalla also expressed anger over the arrest of individuals he claimed were linked to his group, warning that the arrests had complicated efforts toward any possible dialogue. (Daily trust)