Major General Rabe Abubakar’s Son Rejects Diabetes Narrative, Demands Answers as Mother Remains Captive
Headlinenews.news Special Report
Before a nation can truly mourn a fallen soldier, it must first answer the questions left behind. In the tragic case of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd), Nigeria is confronted not only with the painful loss of a distinguished officer, but also with troubling uncertainties surrounding his final moments and the continued captivity of his wife.
The death of former Defence spokesman, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd), has left Nigerians grieving. Yet, even as tributes pour in for the respected officer, disturbing questions continue to emerge over the circumstances surrounding his death, the recovery of his body, and the fate of his wife who remains in the custody of the kidnappers.
His son, Isyaka Rabe, has publicly disputed reports that his father died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension. According to him, the retired General had no history of either illness. Family members believe he may have suffered a heart attack while in captivity, while other theories have circulated. Ultimately, only those who held him captive know exactly what transpired.
The uncertainty itself highlights one of the cruel realities of kidnapping and terrorism. Victims are not merely deprived of their freedom; families are often denied closure and left with unanswered questions that linger long after the tragedy.
Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife were abducted around May 30. On June 6, a four-minute video surfaced showing the couple appealing to the Katsina State Government while their captors demanded the release of detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations. Days later came the devastating news that the retired officer had died.
Yet another question has emerged. How exactly was the General’s body recovered from his abductors?
According to his son, the family itself does not know. This has understandably raised concerns among sympathisers and Nigerians who believe that transparency is necessary not only to dispel rumours but also to provide some measure of comfort to a grieving family.
Even more painful is the fact that while the nation mourns the death of the retired General, his wife remains in captivity.
Contrary to rumours circulating on social media, Isyaka Rabe insists that his mother has not regained her freedom.
The family has suffered enough.
No family should be made to bury its patriarch while simultaneously enduring the agony of not knowing whether the matriarch is safe. The emotional trauma, uncertainty and psychological burden imposed on the family are immeasurable.
Nigeria’s security agencies must therefore prioritise the rescue of Mrs. Rabe. This should not merely be viewed as another kidnapping case. It is a humanitarian emergency involving the widow of a man who dedicated decades of his life to defending the country.
Globally, governments have often gone to extraordinary lengths to secure the release of captives and recover fallen servicemen. The United States, Britain and Israel have developed doctrines that regard the rescue of military personnel and civilians as matters of national honour. Even when rescue operations prove difficult, sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated efforts remain priorities.
Nigeria must continue to strengthen its capabilities in hostage rescue, surveillance and intelligence-led operations. Modern conflicts have evolved beyond conventional warfare. Criminal gangs and terrorist groups increasingly use kidnappings as strategic tools to exert pressure on governments and societies.
According to available records, thousands of Nigerians have been abducted over the last decade, with communities across the North-West and North-Central bearing the brunt. The economic and psychological costs are enormous, while public confidence is tested with every new incident.
The death of Major General Rabe Abubakar also serves as a painful reminder that insecurity does not discriminate. Distinguished military officers, traditional rulers, clerics, students, farmers and ordinary citizens have all become victims.
This underscores the need for continuous investment in intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, counterterrorism capabilities, inter-agency coordination and community-based intelligence networks. Emerging technologies such as drones and electronic monitoring systems should become standard tools in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism.
Beyond the security dimensions, Nigerians should remember Major General Rabe Abubakar for his years of service and sacrifice. As Defence spokesman, he represented the Nigerian military during some of its most difficult periods. In the words of his son, “My father died a hero.”
Major General Rabe Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information and military spokesman between 2015 and 2017, a period during which insecurity was steadily worsening across several parts of the country. Like many institutions confronted with crises, the Defence Headquarters adopted a communication posture aimed at reassuring the public and projecting confidence. Critics, however, argued that official narratives at the time often appeared at variance with the fears and realities experienced by ordinary Nigerians.
His tragic death offers a sobering lesson about the relationship between institutions and public trust. Reassurance is important, but transparency and honesty are equally indispensable. History repeatedly shows that governments and institutions earn lasting credibility not merely by projecting strength, but by confronting challenges with candour and accountability. Positions are temporary, but truth endures.
As the nation reflects on his life and service, perhaps one lesson stands above all others: no public servant, no matter how highly placed, is insulated from the consequences of insecurity. The fight against kidnapping and terrorism must therefore remain a national priority, not only for ordinary citizens but for all who have dedicated their lives to serving the nation.
Heroes deserve dignity. Their families deserve compassion. Their widows deserve rescue. Their deaths deserve clarity.
Questions about the circumstances of the General’s death and the recovery of his body should not be dismissed. Transparency can help eliminate speculation and provide closure for the bereaved family and the nation.
At the same time, national attention must not shift away from the plight of Mrs. Rabe.
She remains alive.
She remains in captivity.
Every passing day prolongs the suffering of a family that has already endured an unbearable loss.
As Nigerians mourn one of their own, the nation must not rest until his widow regains her freedom.
For while Major General Rabe Abubakar has been laid to rest, his family’s nightmare is far from over.
And perhaps the greatest tribute Nigeria can pay to a fallen patriot is not merely to honour his memory with words, but to bring his wife home alive.
The National Patriots appeals to the Federal Government and security agencies to spare no effort in securing the immediate release of Mrs. Rabe Abubakar on humanitarian grounds. It is double tragedy for a widow to lose her husband in captivity and still remain unable to mourn him properly because she herself is being held captive. Such a situation is deeply inhuman. The nation owes this grieving family compassion, closure and urgent action to bring her home alive.
Princess G. Fraser. MFR
The National Patriots.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
