ABUJA — The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the death of Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), a former Director of Defence Information, who was killed while being held by bandits.

The retired general and his wife were abducted in May while traveling through Katsina State. The military high command announced the tragedy on Saturday, June 13, 2026, marking a grim conclusion to weeks of intensive, albeit quiet, rescue efforts.

A Distinguish Career and Tragic End

Major General Abubakar was a prominent figure within the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), having served as the primary spokesman for various military formations and the national defence establishment. The DHQ lauded his legacy, noting his significant contributions to military professionalism and national counter-insurgency operations.

"His commitment to duty and to the unity of Nigeria remains a shining example for all personnel," stated the current Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.

The abduction gained public attention on June 6, when a video surfaced showing the couple in captivity, pleading with the Katsina State Government to secure their release by meeting the captors' demands, which reportedly included the release of detained bandits and livestock.

Military Vows Retaliation

The DHQ clarified that it had maintained a strict silence on the abduction until now to avoid jeopardizing ongoing, intelligence-led rescue missions. With the confirmation of his death, the military has declared a shift in operational tempo.

"In response to a series of unfortunate abductions across Nigeria, including that of Maj Gen Abubakar, ongoing operations have since been further intensified to bring perpetrators to justice and to dismantle all terrorist networks threatening our nation," Major General Uba declared.

The military leadership has reiterated its commitment to restoring security nationwide, emphasizing that the loss of a senior officer has strengthened, rather than weakened, the resolve of the armed forces to confront criminal elements operating in the country’s Northwest and beyond.