Retired Nigerian army Major General Rabe Abubakar, kidnapped by gunmen in the country's north-west, has died while being held captive, the military has said. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, who served as military spokesman between 2015 and 2017, was abducted with his wife while travelling in Katsina state last month.
No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. The abduction and death of Abubakar highlight the ongoing security challenges in parts of north-west Nigeria, where criminal gangs known locally as "bandits" frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom, as well as cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities.
Some militant jihadists have also operated in the region. An alleged militant camp in Sokoto state was the target of a US airstrike on 25 December last year.
Katsina has been one of the states most affected by the violence. Local media reported that the retired officer was going to a wedding on 30 May when armed men attacked his vehicle and seized him, his wife and their driver.
Days before news of his death emerged, a video shared on social media appeared to show Abubakar in captivity with an apparent injury to his left leg alongside his wife and other hostages.
The military said it chose not to comment publicly on the abduction while efforts to free those in captivity were being made. "In deference to ongoing rescue efforts by security agencies, the Armed Forces withheld public comment while every operational resource was deployed in the hope of securing his safe return," the statement said.
The whereabouts and condition of Abubakar's wife remain unknown. But a military spokesman said that "ongoing operations have since been further intensified to bring perpetrators to justice and to dismantle all terrorist networks threatening our nation".
The military paid tribute to the major general, who local media reported was 61 when he died, describing the loss as "tragic" and offering condolences to his family and former colleagues. A statement said he made "immense contributions to counter-insurgency operations… His commitment to duty and to the unity of Nigeria remains a shining example for all personnel."