…Says; his mother is still with the abductors
One of the sons of the former Director of Defence Information, late Major General Abubakar Rabe (retd), Mr Isyaka Rabe has debunked claims that his father died from complication of diabetes and high blood pressure.
Isyaka Rabe pointedly said that his late father had no medical history of diabetes or high blood pressure whatsoever, thus fuelling speculations that the late General Rabe may have been killed by the bandits or died through other means.
His position was also stated by one of the late General Rabe’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, who also insisted on social media that her father was not diabetic and alleged that a snake bite may have led to his death while in captivity.
Isyaka also his mother is still being held by the kidnappers, saying that she has not been released.
Isyaka, who stated these during an interview he granted Deutsche Welle (DW), specifically debunk claims by the Katsina State Government that General Rabe died from complications linked to diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
He noted that speculation had persisted that his late father may have died after being bitten by a snake, saying that this position was further strengthened by the final video reportedly released by the kidnappers, stressing however, that only God knows the exact circumstances surrounding the death of the former Director of Defence Information.
In the words of Isyaka Rabe; “Reports attributing my father’s death to diabetes is totally misleading. The family is unaware of any such medical condition”.
Isyaka described his late father as a humble, deeply religious and peace-loving man, emphasising that he died in service to the nation and should be remembered as a hero.
He also said that the family had no information about how the remains of General Rabe was recovered, saying that several people sought clarification after funeral arrangements were announced, saying that the family was not briefed on the process through which the remains were retrieved.
General Rabe (retd) and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State while on their way to attend a wedding in Katsina.
