Fresh details have emerged regarding the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari, a former Director of Defence Information of the Nigerian Army, and his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, in Katsina State on May 30, 2026. The retired officer, his wife, and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, were traveling along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area when their vehicle was ambushed near Zakin Baure village.
Ambush and Abduction Details
Witnesses reported that armed men, believed to be bandits, blocked the road, opened fire, and forced the vehicle to a halt before abducting the couple into a nearby forest. The driver was shot in the hand but was spared. A source close to the family stated: "They shot him in the hand and abandoned him, but took the General and his wife away. He was bleeding seriously but managed to get help and has since been treated." Security operatives later recovered the victims’ red Peugeot 406 saloon car and moved it to the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters. A witness described the attack as a "well-planned ambush," noting that the gunmen were heavily armed and operated swiftly.
Social Media Alert
Before the ambush, the attackers reportedly raided a phone-charging center in the village, carting away mobile phones, power banks, and a motorcycle. Villagers shared photographs of the abandoned vehicle online with the caption: "Who knows the owner of this car? The occupants were just abducted by bandits along the Matazu road." The post quickly gained traction, and a retired military officer identified the victims as Major General Batsari (rtd) and his wife.
Police Response
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident but did not officially identify the victims. Police spokesperson DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu stated that the attack occurred at about 11:00 am on Saturday, May 30, when armed bandits intercepted the vehicle. Commissioner of Police Ali Umar Fage visited the scene and ordered the deployment of additional personnel to intensify search-and-rescue operations. The command assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Suspected Mastermind
Local sources suggested that the abduction may have been carried out by associates of a notorious bandit leader, Muhammadu Fulani, who has terrorized communities around the Kuki and Sayaya axis. However, other residents expressed doubts, noting that Fulani’s operations are usually large-scale and devastating, unlike this incident. One resident explained: "From our experience in this area, this operation does not appear to be one spearheaded by Muhammadu Fulani. His attacks are usually devastating and leave communities in fear and sorrow. This particular incident does not look like his handiwork."
Previous Incidents
Legit.ng earlier reported that Brigadier-General O. Braimah, a leader within the Joint Task Force in Benesheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, was reportedly killed in a Boko Haram attack. According to Vanguard, sources said several insurgents were also killed during the deadly assault on Thursday, April 9. Zanna Ajimi, the chairman of the Kaga LGA, confirmed the killing of the brigade commander.
