Late General Rabe's Family Disputes Katsina Government's Claim on His Death

The family of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar has come out to dispute the claim made by the Katsina State Government that their father died from complications of diabetes and hypertension. According to one of the sons, Isyaka Rabe, his father had no history of diabetes or high blood pressure. The late general and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, and he later died while in the custody of his abductors. In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Isyaka Rabe stated that reports suggesting his father died as a result of diabetes were inaccurate. He mentioned that some people believed the late general might have died from a snake bite, based on the last video released by the kidnappers. However, Isyaka Rabe said only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death. The family has been praying for the repose of his father’s soul, describing him as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life. Isyaka Rabe also added that the late general died a hero. When asked about the recovery of his father’s remains, Isyaka Rabe said he had no information on the circumstances surrounding it. Meanwhile, one of the late general’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, had earlier posted on her X handle, @Addahaleem, that her father did not suffer from diabetes and insisted that a snake bite was the actual cause of his death. Isyaka Rabe also disclosed that his mother, who was abducted alongside his father, remains in captivity, dismissing reports circulating on social media that she had been released.