Son of Late Retired General Dismisses Diabetes Claims, Says Mother Still in Captivity

Isyaka Rabe, son of the late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who died in bandits’ captivity, has dismissed claims that his father’s death was linked to diabetes related complications, telling Deutsche Welle Hausa in an interview on Sunday that reports of diabetes were inaccurate. 

The Katsina government had earlier said the retired general suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure before his death, but Isyaka suggested that from the video, his father’s leg appeared swollen, leading to speculation of a possible snakebite, but stressed that only God knows the true cause of death. He described his father as a devout and peace-loving man who lived a modest life and died a hero.

Isyaka also refuted reports circulating on social media that his mother, who was kidnapped alongside his father, had regained freedom, stating emphatically that anyone saying she was still in the custody of the kidnappers. He said he had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the recovery of his father’s remains and directed such questions to the government. 

Also Read: Donald Trump Dismisses Iran Ceasefire Reports as ‘Fake News’ Amid Ongoing Tensions With Iran

The retired major general and his wife were abducted in May while travelling through Katsina, and the retired general later died while in captivity, a development confirmed by the military high command. Following his death, the Defence Headquarters vowed to intensify ongoing operations against terrorist and bandit groups, and Abubakar was buried on Sunday in Katsina amid calls for stronger action to secure the release of his wife.