The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife released a video on Saturday showing the couple in captivity.

The couple were abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.

In the four-minute video circulated on social media, the wife of the retired general was seen conveying the abductors’ demands, Daily Trust reports.

The demands included the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

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

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

The retired general, who spoke briefly in the video, called for efforts to ensure peace, adding that the abductors had expressed interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

Daily Trust also reports that notorious bandit leader Kachallah Muhammad, who operates in parts of Katsina State, had reportedly established communication with the family of the retired general.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement on the video.

The FCT police command have arrested suspected k!dnappers seen in a viral video openly brandishing AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and walkie-talkies, while dressed in military camouflage.

Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Sanusi, said immediately he received the viral video and pictures, he directed a detailed forensic analysis into the origin of the content and ordered the immediate arrest of the suspects.

Sanusi mentioned that following digital forensic analysis and actionable intelligence, he directed operatives of the FCT Police VCRU Sector 5 and personnel from Zuba Division, led by the DPO, CSP Ogu Caleb Ikechukwu, on a coordinated operation at Runji Village, Zuba, on May 25 at about 3:22am, where three suspects featured in the videos were arrested at their hideout.

He gave the names of the suspects as Umar Babangida, 25 years old; Adamu Yeti, 22 years old; and Yahaya Idris, 24 years old, all residents of Rijana, Kaduna State.

The police boss said investigations revealed that the suspects had previously been in possession of the AK-47 rifles, which were obtained from their gang leader identified only as “Esco” from Rijana, Kaduna State who is currently at large.

He mentioned that further investigations also led to the recovery of additional videos and photographs from the suspects’ mobile phones showing them dressed in military camouflage while brandishing AK-47 rifles and carrying walkie-talkies.

The suspects are currently in custody undergoing further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Esco the gang leader and other members of the gang who are at large and recover the firearms.

The Enugu State Government has warned against an alleged plan by some market leaders to shut down major markets within the state capital on Saturday to show support during a rally backing reelection of Governor Peter Mbah and President Bola Tinubu.

The government stated that such a move contradicts the Mbah Administration’s determined effort to boost investment, business and productivity in the state, and therefore does not have the government’s blessing.

The government made its position known in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, on Friday.

It said that people should feel free to go about their businesses, a predisposition it said prompted the decision of Mbah Administration to end illegal Monday sit-at-home effective June 5, 2023.

The statement equally maintained that political association remains an individual right and choice, saying participation in the Saturday rally and subsequent rallies by any group should never truncate businesses or involve any form of compulsion.

“The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to an alleged plan to shut markets in the state capital as a demonstration of solidarity with the Enugu East zonal rally to drum up support for His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, ahead of the 2027 general election.

“While the government appreciates the enormous demonstration of goodwill by traders across the state, it frowns, however, at any attempt by any market leader to shut down major markets in the Enugu East Senatorial District on account of the planned rally.

“This is not only contrary to the administration’s vision and drive to grow Enugu State’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, and also to position the state as the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living, but also the decision of the administration to ban illegal sit-at-home effective June 5, 2023.

“Furthermore, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees freedom of association and assembly. Thus, nothing should be seen to detract from these rights in this or future rallies by any group whatsoever.

“For emphasis, political participation should be voluntary and without any attempt to deny the people access to markets or other public spaces where they earn their daily living.

“Therefore, members of the public, particularly leaderships of various markets in the state should take note, please, as government will not hesitate to impose sanctions on any action to the contrary,” the statement read.

DR. MALACHY AGBO
Commissioner for Information and Communication
Enugu State
05/06/2026