Speaking publicly for the first time since the former military officer was laid to rest, his son, Isyaka Rabe Abubakar, said the family was yet to receive any explanation on how the remains of the retired General were retrieved from his abductors.
The former Director of Defence Information was kidnapped alongside his wife by armed bandits in Katsina State about two weeks ago. On Saturday, the Katsina State Government announced that he had died in captivity following what it described as health complications.
His remains were subsequently brought to Katsina and buried the same day amid a large turnout of mourners who attended his funeral prayers.
However, Isyaka said the family had no knowledge of how the body was recovered from the kidnappers.
“When I announced that the funeral prayer will hold at 6pm, many people asked me how was the body recovered. I told them I had no information and asked them to direct such questions to the State government because I would also like to know,” he said during an interview with DW Hausa Service.
Beyond the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the body, the family also challenged the official explanation regarding the cause of the retired General’s death.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Mu’azu, the Katsina State Government stated that Abubakar died from complications associated with diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
But his son disagreed with that account, insisting that the late General had never suffered from either condition.
“Our father was not diabetic and did not suffer from hypertension. People have different opinions about what happened. We believe it was most likely due to a snakebite, while others think he might have stepped on something. From the video, you could see his leg was swollen, but only God knows the true cause of his death,” Isyaka added.
He described his father as a humble and peace-loving man who devoted his life to serving both his faith and the nation.
The family also dismissed reports suggesting that the late General’s wife, who was abducted alongside him, had regained her freedom.
According to Isyaka, she remains in the custody of the kidnappers.
“Whoever says our mother has been released, I, Isyaka Rabe, am telling you it is a lie. She still remains a captive with them,” he stated.
He appealed to the Katsina State Government to intensify efforts aimed at securing her release, noting that the family continues to place its trust in God while awaiting positive news.
“As Muslims, we will not blame anyone, but we know that as the governor, you are the father of the people. Our father has already died, now we are waiting for our mother,” he stated.