Family Disputes Katsina Govt’s Account of Late Gen. Rabe’s Cause of Death

 

Katsina, Nigeria— A son of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), Isyaka Rabe, has disputed claims by the Katsina State Government that his father died from diabetes and hypertension, saying the retired general had no history of either condition.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle, DW, on 14th June 2026, Isyaka said reports attributing his father’s death to diabetes were inaccurate. He noted that some people believe the general may have died from a snake bite, based on the last video released by the kidnappers, but added: “Only God knows the actual cause of his father’s death.”

Isyaka described his father as a deeply religious and peace-loving man who lived a simple life, and said the late general “died a hero.”

Uncertainty over recovery of remains

When asked how the family received the remains, Isyaka said he had no information on the circumstances surrounding the recovery of the body. 

“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and that they should direct such questions to the government,” he said.

Mother still in captivity, family says

The son also dismissed reports on social media that his mother, who was abducted alongside the general, had been released. “Take it from me, our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released,” Isyaka said.

Earlier, one of the late general’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, posted on her X handle @Addahaleem that her father did not suffer from diabetes and insisted a snake bite was the actual cause of death.

Background of abduction and death

The late General Rabe Abubakar and his wife were abducted on 30th May 2026 along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State. The retired general later died while in the custody of his abductors.

While announcing his death, the Katsina State Government said he died from complications of diabetes and hypertension. Family members and other sources have maintained that he died after being bitten by a snake while in captivity.

The discrepancy between the government’s statement and the family’s account has sparked public debate over the circumstances of the general’s death.

Note: Claims regarding cause of death in this report are attributed to the family and the Katsina State Government. No independent medical verification has been made public.