Bandits reject ransom, demand prisoner exchange for abducted retired General, wife in Katsina
Former Military Official and Wife Abducted in Katsina; Bandits Demand Prisoner Exchange
KATSINA, Nigeria — Bandits have reportedly demanded a prisoner exchange for the release of Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar Batsari, a former Director of Defence Information, and his wife, following their abduction in Katsina State.
Sources familiar with the situation stated that Kachallah Muhammad, the leader of the gang, contacted the family on Monday, less than 48 hours after the couple was taken along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area.
According to these sources, the gang is insisting on the release of detained associates held by security agencies as a precondition for freeing the couple, rejecting any offer of a cash ransom.
The incident unfolded when armed men intercepted the couple’s vehicle, opened fire, and then forced them into a nearby forest.
Security sources indicated that the retired general was allowed to speak briefly during the communication, assuring that both he and his wife were in stable condition.
A senior official from Batsari Local Government confirmed awareness of the ongoing negotiations; however, no official statements have been released by authorities regarding the demands or rescue efforts.
Mariya Ibrahim, a family member, made an appeal for urgent action, stating that the retired officer, who was traveling to Katsina to attend a wedding, deserves a safe return. “He served this country with dedication and deserves protection even in retirement. We want him and his wife rescued unharmed,” she said.
Local residents have expressed growing concern over increasing insecurity in the region, noting that the kidnapping of a former senior military officer underscores the deteriorating conditions throughout parts of North-West Nigeria.
As of this report, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor military officials have issued any official comment regarding the incident or the ongoing rescue efforts.
