My Father was not Diabetic! Gen. Rabe Abubakar’s son Refutes Katsina Govt.’s Claim
Says: Only God knows how he died
Isyaka Rabe, one of the grieving children of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), whose death in captivity was announced by the Katsina State government on Saturday, has punctured the claim that his father died from complications of diabetes.
While breaking the tragic news, the Katsina State Government had said that the Major General, a former spokesperson of the Nigeria Army, had succumbed to complications of diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.
But in an interview with the German radio, Deutsche Welle, on Sunday, and as reported by the Punch newspaper, Isyaka Rabe Abubakar punctured the claim, saying that his father had no history of the degenerative diseases.
Describing reports attributing his father’s death to diabetes as inaccurate, Isyaka referenced some people who, after watching the last video released by the kidnappers, averred that the retired Army General may have been bitten by a snake. But he quickly added that only God knows the actual cause of death.
“I truly don’t believe it was diabetes,” he declared. “In our view, it was a heart attack. If you look at it, his legs were restrained. Moreover, some people said that he was walking, and he didn’t die. So, God knows, since only God is the knower (all-knowing).”
Isyaka prayed for the repose of his father’s soul, describing him as a deeply religious, peace-loving man who lived a simple life, and died a hero.
Pressed further on the possible cause of his father’s demise and how the the corpse was recovered, the younger Abubakar said he had no information on the matter.
“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer,” he continued, “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.”
Isyaka also rubbished viral social reports that his mother, who was abducted alongside his father, was released.
“Whoever says she (mother) has been released, I, Isyaka Rabe, son of Major General Rabe, say that is a lie,” he declared. “She has not been released. Right now, she is still in their custody.”
News of the late General Abubakar’s abduction broke on May 30, 2026, when it was announced that he had been kidnapped while travelling with his wife.
On June 6, their abductors, in a four-minute video, demanded the release of three fighters from custody and the return of livestock reportedly seized during security operations as conditions for the couple’s freedom.
The video showed Gen. Abubakar and his wife pleading with the Katsina State Government to facilitate the release of the detained criminals as well as their seized livestock.
However, on Saturday, the Katsina State Government confirmed Abubakar’s death, claiming that he died from complications of diabetes and hypertension, describing his unfortunate demise as a tragic loss to the state and the nation.
