“Painful loss” – Saraki mourns Major General Rabe, seeks wife’s release

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has expressed sadness over the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who reportedly died while in the custody of his abductors.

Rabe, a former Director of Defence Information, was kidnapped alongside his wife while travelling through Katsina state.

In a statement on Sunday, Saraki described the incident as a painful loss and extended condolences to the family of the deceased.

His words: “I received the news of the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar with deep sorrow. The former Director of Defence Information was abducted alongside his wife while travelling through Katsina State, and after two weeks in the hands of his captors, he has sadly died. This is a painful loss for his family.”

The former Senate President said his thoughts remained with Amina Abubakar, the wife of the deceased, who is still being held by the kidnappers.

“My thoughts and prayers remain with his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, who is still being held in captivity,” he said.

Saraki urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure her release and also conveyed his condolences to the government and people of Katsina state as well as the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“The security agencies must do everything within their power to secure her safe release. I send my condolences to the Abubakar family, to the Government and people of Katsina State, and to the Nigerian Armed Forces, who have lost one of their own.

“May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannah Firdaus, and comfort his family and loved ones,” he said.