Family Rejects Katsina Government’s Account Of Late General Rabe Abubakar’s Death, Says He Had No Diabetes.

The family of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.) has disputed claims by the Katsina State Government that the retired military officer died from complications related to diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), one of the deceased’s sons, Isyaka Rabe, insisted that his father had no history of either illness and described reports suggesting otherwise as inaccurate.

Major General Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. The retired army officer later died while being held by his captors.

Following the announcement of his death, the Katsina State Government stated that the former general succumbed to complications arising from diabetes and high blood pressure.

However, members of his family have maintained that he may have died after suffering a snake bite while in captivity.

Addressing the conflicting accounts, Isyaka said many people believed his father was bitten by a snake based on the last video reportedly released by the kidnappers, but added that only God truly knows the exact cause of death.

“Reports suggesting that my father died because of diabetes are not accurate,” he said.

He described the late military officer as a deeply religious and peace-loving man who lived a simple life and ultimately died a hero.

Commenting on the recovery of his father’s remains, Isyaka disclosed that he had no information about how the body was retrieved from the kidnappers.

“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.

He also clarified that his mother, who was abducted alongside the late general, remains in captivity despite reports circulating on social media suggesting she had regained her freedom.

“Take it from me, our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released,” he stated.

Earlier, one of the late general’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, also dismissed claims that her father suffered from diabetes. In a post shared on her X account, she maintained that a snake bite was the actual cause of his death.

The differing accounts have raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the retired general’s death as his family continues to await the safe return of his wife.