General Rabe’s Son Disputes Katsina Govt’s Diabetes Claim, Says Mother Still in Captivity
One of the sons of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd); Isyaka Rabe, has dismissed claims by the Katsina State Government that his father died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) on Sunday, Isyaka said the retired military officer had no history of either illness, describing reports linking his death to diabetes as inaccurate.
According to him, some observers who watched the last video released by the kidnappers speculated that the late general may have died from a snake bite. However, he maintained that only God knows the true cause of death.
“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. Moreover, some people said that he was walking, and he didn’t die, so God knows, since only God is the All-knower,” he said.
Isyaka described his father as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life and died a hero.
He also revealed that the family remains unaware of the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the late general’s body.
“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 stated.
The deceased’s son further debunked reports circulating on social media claiming that his mother, who was abducted alongside the retired general, had regained her freedom.
“Whoever says she has been released, I, Isyaka Rabe, son of Major General Rabe, say that is a lie; she has not been released. Right now, she is still in their custody,” he said.
Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) and his wife were abducted on May 30 by armed bandits.
On June 6, the kidnappers released a video demanding the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for the couple’s freedom.
The Katsina State Government on Saturday confirmed the retired general’s death, describing it as a tragic loss to both the state and the nation. The government had stated that he died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.
GaskiyaCast reports that conflicting accounts surrounding the cause of Major General Rabe Abubakar’s death have added fresh questions to the circumstances of his final days in captivity.
