Bandits have shown proof of life and set their terms.
Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife appeared in a 4-minute video released by their abductors on Saturday.
The couple was abducted by suspected bandits in Matazu LGA, Katsina State, while travelling towards Katsina.
Abubakar served as Defence Headquarters’ media chief from 2015 to 2017. Gunmen intercepted their vehicle in Matazu and took them away.
–The captors’ demands–
In the viral video, Abubakar’s wife conveyed the bandits’ conditions for their release.
They want 3 detained members freed: Sani, Aminu and Nasiru.
According to her, two were arrested in Jikamshi and one in Kano.
The bandits are also demanding the return of livestock allegedly seized from them — cows and goats.
“Three of their boys have been arrested, including Aminu, Sani Nasiru and others, and they want them released alongside all their properties, their cows and goats that were captured,” she said.
“We are begging all those concerned to help us heed these demands so we can be released.”
–Appeal to government–
She directed the appeal to the Katsina State Government and leaders of 5 local government areas, urging them to facilitate compliance.
“Two of the boys were captured in Jikamshi and the other one was arrested separately, so we are appealing to the government to please adhere to their demands, release them and release their cows.”
–From Defence HQ spokesperson to hostage–
Abubakar and his wife are now pawns in a prisoner-and-livestock exchange demand. Security agencies have not issued an official response to the video yet.
