Bandit leader wey dey linked to the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari and im wife don reportedly demand prisoner exchange before dem go release di couple.
Di incident happen along Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road for Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. Armed men wey dey suspected to dey operate for dat region carry di retired officer and im wife.
Security and community sources say di suspected gang leader, wey dem identify as Kachallah Muhammad, make contact shortly after di abduction through intermediaries to communicate di group demands. Instead of cash ransom, di group dey insist on release of detained associates wey security agencies hold as condition for freeing di abducted couple.
Sources further indicate say di retired general bin allowed to speak briefly during di communication and confirm say im and im wife dey stable condition. Di demand reflect a growing pattern for some abduction cases where armed groups dey prioritize prisoner exchanges over financial ransom.
Authorities neva issue official statement on di reported negotiations, while security monitoring continue for di area.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies (PSNAFOSA), don condemn di abduction. According to di convener of di organisation, Ambassador Mary Abayomi Fatile, di abduction na unfortunate, disturbing, and direct attack on a patriotic Nigerian wey devote im life to service of di nation.
According to reports, Major General Abubakar and im wife bin dey travel to Katsina along di Matazu Local Government Area axis of Katsina State when dem bin abduct dem. Dia driver reportedly escape from di attackers with gunshot injuries, while di victims red Peugeot 406 vehicle bin later find and park at di Matazu Division of di Nigeria Police Force.
Ambassador Fatile call on di Federal Government, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to intensify efforts towards securing di immediate and unconditional release of di retired senior military officer and im wife. “Major General R. Abubakar serve dis nation with dedication, professionalism, and loyalty throughout im military career. E dey therefore painful to witness such a distinguished officer and im wife subjected to dis traumatic experience. We urge di government and security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure dia safe rescue,” she tok.
Di organisation also express concern over di continued insecurity affecting different parts of di country, particularly di recent abduction of schoolchildren for Oyo State. Ambassador Fatile appeal to authorities to expedite efforts to secure di release of di affected children, stressing say dem represent di future of Nigeria. “Di children must be rescued without delay. Dem be di future leaders of our nation, and every effort must be made to guarantee dia safety and protect dia right to education,” she add.
Di convener further appeal to those wey dey responsible for di kidnappings to reconsider dia actions and release all victims unharmed. “Nigeria neva know dis level of insecurity and criminality. We appeal to those behind these acts to stop and embrace peace. Di pain wey dem dey inflict on families, communities, and di nation na immeasurable,” she tok.
PSNAFOSA reaffirm im commitment to supporting members of di Armed Forces and other security agencies through prayers, advocacy, and public enlightenment, while urging Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies for di collective fight against crime and insecurity.
