Bandits who abducted former Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar Batsari (rtd), and his wife in Katsina State have reportedly demanded a prisoner exchange in return for the couple’s freedom.
Sources familiar with the development told The Guardian that the leader of the armed group, identified as Kachallah Muhammad, made contact with the family on Monday, less than 48 hours after the abduction.
The retired military officer and his wife were kidnapped on Saturday along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of the state while travelling to Katsina for a wedding ceremony.
According to the sources, the kidnappers are not seeking a monetary ransom. Instead, they have insisted on the release of some of their associates currently in the custody of security agencies before they will consider freeing the couple.
The attack reportedly occurred when armed men intercepted the couple’s vehicle, opened fire, and forced them into a nearby forest.
Security and community sources disclosed that the abductors briefly allowed Maj.-Gen. Batsari to speak during their communication with the family. During the conversation, he reportedly confirmed that he and his wife were safe and in stable condition.
A senior official in Batsari Local Government Area also confirmed awareness of ongoing contacts between the family and the abductors but noted that authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the reported demands.
Reacting to the development, a family member, Mariya Ibrahim, appealed to security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure the couple’s release.
“He served this country with dedication and deserves protection even in retirement. We want him and his wife rescued unharmed,” she said.
The kidnapping has heightened concerns among residents, who say the incident underscores the worsening security situation across parts of the North-West. Community members noted that the abduction of a retired senior military officer highlights the growing reach and audacity of armed groups operating in the region.
As of press time, neither the Katsina State Police Command nor military authorities had released an official statement on the incident or any rescue operation underway.
