A retired Nigerian Army officer has died in captivity, barely two weeks after being abducted along with his wife by gunmen locally known as “bandits” in the northern state of Katsina.

The Katsina State Government announced the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in a statement, saying it received the news of his death “with a heavy heart and deep sense of loss.”

According to the statement, Abubakar died of natural causes related to complications from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda offered his condolences to the family of the late military officer, describing the situation as a “dark moment” that underscores the need for intensified action against armed groups operating across the region.

The government said security agencies had made sustained efforts to secure his release, but those efforts ultimately failed to prevent the tragedy.

“The Katsina State Government remains committed to working with the Federal Government and security forces to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice,” the statement said.

Wife still in captivity

The retired major general was abducted alongside his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, and their driver while travelling through Katsina State at the end of last month.

Their vehicle was reportedly ambushed along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in the Matazu area. Their driver reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds while the vehicle was abandoned.

The late general’s wife is still in captivity and her condition is unclear. Days after the kidnapping, the abductors released a video showing the couple in captivity.

In the footage, the retired general’s wife appealed for government intervention and relayed demands made by the kidnappers, including the release of three members of their gang detained by the authorities and the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

No ransom demand was publicly mentioned in the video.

‘No mercy for terrorists’

The retired general also appeared briefly in the recording, calling for peace and dialogue.

Katsina is one of several states in Nigeria worst affected by years of kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs. The kidnappers often target rural communities, travellers, and schools, seizing people for ransom.

In some previous cases, abductors killed their captives when demanded ransom is not paid.

Nigeria has also been grappling with violent activities of terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Daesh.

In a televised speech on Friday marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu vowed “no mercy to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” including terrorists, bandits, and their “sponsors,” even as he stressed that the door for their surrender remained open.