Late general’s son says cause of death was likely heart attack; mother still in bandits’ custody despite social media reports

By Felix Umande

Contradicting the Katsina State Government, the family of late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar has rejected claims that he died of diabetes and hypertension while in bandits’ captivity, insisting the retired officer had no history of those ailments.

In an interview with newsmen on Sunday, Isyaka Rabe, one of the late general’s sons, dismissed the government’s account as inaccurate.

The Katsina State Government had on Saturday confirmed Abubakar’s death and attributed it to complications from diabetes and hypertension.

“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 knower,” Isyaka said.

He also addressed speculation that the general may have died from a snake bite after a video reportedly released by the kidnappers circulated online. “Some people believed the late general may have died from a snake bite, based on a video reportedly released by kidnappers. However, he said only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death,” Isyaka stated.

Isyaka said he had no information on how his father’s remains were recovered. He prayed for the repose of the late general’s soul, describing him as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life and “died a hero.”

“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 said.

The son also debunked reports circulating on social media that his mother, who was abducted alongside the retired general, had been released.

“Whoever says she has been released, I, Isyaka Rabe, son of Major General Rabe, I say that is a lie; she has not been released. Right now, she is still in their custody,” he declared.

Late Maj. Gen. Abubakar was kidnapped alongside his wife on May 30 while traveling through Katsina State. On June 6, the bandits released a four-minute video showing the couple appealing to the Katsina State Government for the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for their freedom.

–Terrorists deliver body to family for burial
–Son rejects diabetes and hypertension claim by Katsina govt

By Michael Lim, Abuja

Following the suspected murder of her husband in captivity, the wife of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (RTD) has been released by the bandits who abducted her and her late husband. They were abducted in Katsina state on 30th May, 2026.

Major General Rabe reportedly died while in the custody of the bandits due to what the Katsina state government said was complications from diabetes and hypertension.

After his death, reports have it that the abductors boldly came unchallenged, handed over the body of the late General to the family and left.

Meanwhile, son of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), Isyaka, has rejected the Katsina State Government’s claim that his father died from diabetes and hypertension complications while in captivity, insisting the retired General had no history of either condition.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle yesterday, the bereaved son described reports attributing his father’s death to diabetes as inaccurate.

He noted that some people, citing the last video released by the kidnappers, believe the General may have died from a snake bite.

Stressing that only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death, he added: “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.”

While praying for the repose of his father’s soul, Isyaka described him as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life.

By Seyi Balogun

Credible intelligence has enabled the Anambra State Police Command to arrest two suspects allegedly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages in the state.

The suspects, identified as Ikechukwu Okeke, 42, and Okeke Chukwuemeka, 38, were arrested in the early hours of Monday by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad following credible intelligence received by the police.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest of the suspects saying they are currently in police custody. Exhibits recovered from them have been secured for forensic examination and evidential purposes.

Ikenga added that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of a syndicate specialising in the adulteration and counterfeiting of various alcoholic beverages.

Items recovered from the suspects include Seaman’s Schnapps, McDowell’s, Eagle Schnapps, Elliot Hot Drinks and Baileys Fresh Cream, as well as dangerous chemicals allegedly used in the production process.

According to Ikenga: “Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad/VCRU have arrested two suspects allegedly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated alcoholic beverages in the state.

“The suspects, identified as Ikechukwu Okeke, 42, and Okeke Chukwuemeka, 38, were arrested in the early hours of June 15, 2026, following credible intelligence received by the police.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of a syndicate specialising in the adulteration and counterfeiting of various alcoholic beverages.

“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to the crime and subsequently led operatives to their mini-factory.

“At the facility, police operatives recovered several suspected adulterated alcoholic products, including Seaman’s Schnapps, McDowell’s, Eagle Schnapps, Elliot Hot Drinks and Baileys Fresh Cream, as well as dangerous chemicals allegedly used in the production process.

“Also recovered were numerous empty bottles, labels and other packaging materials intended for the continued manufacture of the counterfeit drinks.