'Only Katsina Govt Can Explain How My Father's Corpse Was Retrieved From Bandits’ Den’ – Son Of Late Retd Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar | #NwokeukwuMascot
News
Speaking in an interview conducted in Hausa with DW Hausa, Ishaka Rabe Abubakar, son of the deceased military officer, dismissed reports suggesting that his mother had regained freedom, maintaining that she is still being held captive by the terrorists.
Abubakar and his wife, Amina, were abducted on May 30 while travelling along the Marabar Musawa Kafinsoli Road in Katsina State. The couple was reportedly ambushed by armed bandits near Zakin Baure village in Matazu Local Government Area, during which their driver sustained gunshot injuries.
News of his death stirred widespread reactions, with conflicting accounts emerging over the cause of his death and the circumstances under which his body was recovered.
Addressing questions about how the corpse of his father was retrieved, Ishaka said the family had no explanation and urged Nigerians to direct such questions to the Katsina State Government.
According to him, many people began asking questions after learning about the funeral arrangements.
“Many people saw the announcement that the funeral prayer would be held at six o’clock. People then asked me, ‘How was the corpse brought back?’ I replied that I cannot answer that question. Rather, the government should be asked about it. Even I myself would like to know how the corpse was brought,” he said.
Introducing himself during the interview, Ishaka said: “My name is Ishaka Rabe Abubakar. I am the son of General Rabe Abubakar who was kidnapped and later answered Allah’s call.”
Speaking on how the family received news of the retired general’s death, Ishaka said they had accepted the development as the will of God and believed that his father died as a martyr.
“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), we have faith in Allah. We believe that he died as a martyr (shahid). We are certain that, God willing, he will receive Allah’s mercy and reward forever,” he said.
The bereaved son described his father as a humble, religious and peace-loving man who maintained good relationships with everyone around him.
"I can testify that my father was a good man, a believer and a religious person. I am proud of that.
Everyone knows that my father never harmed anyone. Alhamdulillah, he lived peacefully with everybody. Whenever he came among people, no one would think of him as someone arrogant or
hostile," Ishaka stated.
He also addressed conflicting reports regarding the cause of his father's death. Since news of the retired general's passing broke, different explanations have circulated, with some reports attributing the death to diabetes-related complications, while others suggested he may have died following a snakebite.
Responding to the controversy, Ishaka rejected claims that diabetes was responsible and said available indications pointed more towards a snakebite.
“The truth is that it was not diabetes that caused this illness. In our view, it was most likely a snakebite because a snakebite could explain the marks and the condition seen on his leg,” he said.
“As for the reports from others saying that he was walking around while ill, Allah knows best, since Allah alone has full knowledge of what truly happened.”
On the fate of his mother, Ishaka strongly refuted reports claiming she had been released by the bandits.
According to him, she remains in captivity.
"As of now, anyone who says she has been released is lying. I, Ishaka Rabe, son of General Rabe Abubakar, am saying clearly that she has not been released. She is still in their custody," he declared.
Asked to deliver a message to government authorities in light of the tragedy that has befallen his family, Ishaka said while they were not directly accusing the Katsina State governor of involvement in the incident, leadership comes with responsibility for the welfare and protection of citizens.
“As for the government, we do not place ourselves between a person and Allah. Just as no one should tell us otherwise, we should not pass judgment concerning someone’s relationship with Allah. Allah responds directly to anyone who has been wronged and who calls upon Him for justice,” he said.
“We are not saying that the governor personally did this or that he is directly responsible for what happened. However, he is the governor. Whoever is given leadership is regarded as a father, a mother and a guardian of the people.”
Delivering a direct message to the Katsina State governor, Ishaka added: “My direct message to the governor is: May Allah continue to guide and watch over him. And as for us, we are waiting for our mother.”
SaharaReporters previously reported that the Katsina State Government confirmed the death of the retired military officer while in the captivity of bandits, describing the development as a tragic loss to the state and the nation.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu.
According to the statement, the retired senior military officer died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while being held by his abductors.
The statement read, "The deceased retired general died a natural death from complications of diabetes and hypertension."
The government disclosed that despite sustained efforts by the state administration and security agencies to secure his freedom, the situation ended in tragedy.
Mu’azu noted that the abduction and subsequent death of the retired military officer represented not only a painful loss to his family and Katsina State but also a monumental loss to Nigeria.
Reacting to the incident, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda expressed deep sorrow over the death of the retired general, describing it as a dark moment for the state and a stark reminder of the security challenges facing the country.
The governor extended his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the repose of the deceased's soul.
Radda also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies to combat banditry and other forms of criminality across the state.
He assured residents that authorities would intensify efforts to ensure that those responsible for the abduction are brought to justice.
Comments
Post a Comment