Relatives of the late Major General Abubakar Rabe (retd.) have voiced deep sorrow over the continued captivity of his wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe, saying the family was forced to bury the retired military officer without her presence.
The family said the pain of losing the former army officer has been compounded by the uncertainty surrounding the fate of his wife, who was kidnapped alongside him and remains in the custody of bandits.
Speaking shortly after the burial ceremony in Katsina State, the deceased’s daughter, Khadija Rabe Abubakar, recalled that family members had remained hopeful that both parents would eventually return home safely.
According to her, the news of her father's death came as a devastating shock, ending weeks of optimism that security efforts would secure the couple’s release.
She lamented that the family had to perform the final rites for the retired general while his wife remained in captivity.
“Our father was buried without our mother standing beside us. The emotional burden is overwhelming, and each passing day without her freedom increases our suffering,” Khadija said.
She urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations, stressing that the family’s priority is the safe return of the abducted widow.
Khadija noted that the family was not seeking special consideration but expected authorities to demonstrate commitment by ensuring that her mother regains freedom as soon as possible.
Also speaking, the late general’s son, Isyaku Rabe Abubakar, described the situation as tragic, saying it was difficult to accept that a man who spent decades serving and defending Nigeria eventually died while in the hands of criminals.
Major General Rabe and his wife were abducted on May 30 along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. While the retired officer later died in captivity, efforts to secure the release of his wife are still ongoing.
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