By Our Reporter
One of the sons of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd), Isyaka Rabe, has said that he had no information about his late father’s body was recovered for burial, even as he also dismissed claims by the Katsina State Government that his father died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
The Daily Crucible reports that on Saturday, the Katsina state government announced that the retired general had passed away in captivity.
Nasiru Mu’azu, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, who disclosed it in statement said Abubakar died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
His remains were laid to rest at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery in Katsina state.
The burial, conducted according to Islamic rites, took place at about 6:45pm on Saturday, shortly after the release of his body by the bandits.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Isyaka said the family had no information regarding the circumstances under which the late general’s body was recovered for burial.
“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and that they should direct such questions to the government,” he said.
Isyaka described reports linking his father’s death to diabetes as inaccurate, insisting that the retired military officer had no known history of diabetes or high blood pressure.
He said some people believed the late general may have died from a snake bite, citing the last video released by his abductors. However, he noted that only God knows the actual cause of death.
“Only God knows how he died,” he said, while describing his father as a deeply religious, peace-loving and humble man who lived a simple life.
The late general’s son also disclosed that his mother, who was abducted alongside his father, remains in the custody of the kidnappers, contrary to reports circulating on social media suggesting that she had been released.
“Take it from me, our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released,” he stated.
Meanwhile, one of the deceased’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, had earlier stated on her X handle, @Addahaleem, that her father did not suffer from diabetes. She maintained that a snake bite was responsible for his death.
Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd) and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The retired army officer later died while in the custody of his abductors. While announcing his death, the Katsina State Government said he succumbed to complications related to diabetes and hypertension.
However, family members and other sources have continued to dispute the official account, maintaining that the former general died after allegedly being bitten by a snake while being held captive by his abductors.
