● Kachallah Muhammad demands release of relatives in govt custody, says “ready to negotiate peace”
Notorious bandit leader Kachallah Muhammad has established direct contact with the family of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari, days after abducting the senior officer and his wife along a notorious highway in Katsina State.
Sources told _Daily Trust_ on Monday that the bandit kingpin, who operates in parts of Katsina, opened a line of communication with the family on Monday morning. The retired general and his wife were abducted on Saturday after gunmen ambushed their vehicle on the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu LGA and forced it into a nearby forest.
—“He said we are being well taken care of”—
A senior Batsari LGA official, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, confirmed he spoke with the retired officer during a call facilitated by Kachallah Muhammad.
“I spoke with Major General Rabe through Kachallah Muhammad. He told us that he is hale and hearty and that his wife is also fine,” the official said.
The officer assured relatives he and his wife were being “adequately taken care of by their captors,” a message that has slightly eased anxiety among family and residents.
—Demand: Release our relatives—
Kachallah Muhammad used the call to state his terms. He demanded the immediate release of his relatives allegedly detained by Nigerian security authorities.
“He said what he wants is the immediate release of his relatives in government custody,” the official added.
The bandit leader also signaled openness to dialogue, saying he was “ready to go back to the negotiation table to achieve peace in Matazu and neighbouring communities.”
—“If a general can be kidnapped…”—
The abduction has rattled Batsari community. Relatives described the retired general as the family’s breadwinner and pillar of support. He was travelling to Katsina for a wedding when attacked.
“He served this country with dedication and deserves protection even in retirement. We want him and his wife rescued alive and unharmed,” said family member Mariya Ibrahim.
A resident, Ibrahim Mamman Batsari, said the incident exposed how vulnerable ordinary citizens are: “If a retired senior military officer can be kidnapped, then ordinary citizens are even more vulnerable. Government must rise to its responsibility.”
Community leader Haruna Mai Maganin Kwari Batsari said the general was expected in town on Saturday to discuss community development projects.
—Security warning—
Security expert Abubakar Ibrahim called it a dangerous escalation. “The kidnapping of a retired Major General shows how emboldened bandits have become. It exposes the vulnerability of major highways and rural communities. If urgent and decisive action is not taken, the situation could further deteriorate.”
Residents say the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road has become unsafe due to repeated bandit attacks.
[Rewritten story culled from Daily Trust]
