Retired Main Basic Rabe Abubakar, seen right here in 2009, was army spokesperson a decade in the past.
A retired Nigerian army official and his spouse have been kidnapped by armed males in northwestern Nigeria, the army has confirmed.
Main Basic Rabe Abubakar, who held the high-profile job as army spokesperson from 2015 to 2017, was kidnapped from his automobile whereas touring in Katsina State on Saturday.
Army spokesman Basic Michael Onoja informed the BBC that efforts had been underway to rescue the couple and hint the prisoners.
The kidnapping highlights the persevering with safety challenges dealing with components of northwestern Nigeria. There, prison gangs identified regionally as “bandits” steadily perform kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling, and raids on rural areas.
Some radical jihadists are additionally lively within the space. An alleged militant camp in Sokoto state was focused by a US airstrike on December 25 final 12 months.
Katsina is likely one of the states hardest hit by violence.
Comparable violence has persevered for years in Zamfara state, which borders Katsina and Sokoto, and though some communities have beforehand tried to make peace with the insurgents, efforts have completed little to carry lasting stability.
The federal government has stepped up measures to curb kidnappings, together with introducing measures geared toward discouraging ransom funds. Nonetheless, the assaults continued.
No group claims it was behind Saturday’s kidnapping and the army is ready to listen to from the abductors’ households, the army stated.
In response to native reviews, the retired basic was touring to Katsina for a marriage when gunmen attacked his automobile.
Abubakar’s driver reportedly fled regardless of being shot, whereas the previous army spokesperson and his spouse had been taken to a close-by forest space by the assailants.
The kidnapping occurred days after one other lethal assault in Katsina State. On Friday, armed teams reportedly attacked Kiriya village in Dutsinma native authorities space, leaving at the very least 16 folks useless.
Police haven’t but commented on the reported killings.
Residents stated the assault occurred shortly after Friday prayers, when folks had gathered to have a good time the Eid al-Adha vacation.
Safety officers have warned of doable assaults throughout the celebrations, main some state governments to introduce measures geared toward proscribing massive gatherings and beefing up safety.
