The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, have released a video showing him and his wife in captivity while demanding the release of some of their detained associates.

Abubakar and his wife were kidnapped along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State near Zakin Baure village.

In the video circulating on social media, the retired general’s wife appealed to the Katsina State Government and community leaders to help secure their freedom. She said the kidnappers were demanding the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock they claimed had been seized from them.

According to her, two of the individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was detained in Kano.

Abubakar also appeared briefly in the video, calling for efforts to promote peace. He said the abductors had indicated an interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

Reports said a notorious bandit leader operating in parts of Katsina State had established contact with the retired general’s family over the abduction.

As of Saturday, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the video or the demands made by the kidnappers. The incident has further highlighted ongoing security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria, where cases of kidnapping and banditry remain a major concern.