Fresh details have emerged on how bandits abducted a former Director of Defence Information of the Nigerian Army, Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari (rtd), and his wife in Katsina State on Saturday.
The retired major general was reportedly travelling to Katsina on Saturday alongside his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu, when their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area.
The attack occurred near Zakin Baure village, where witnesses said armed men, believed to be bandits, suddenly emerged from hiding, blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to a halt before abducting the retired officer and his wife into a nearby forest, reports Daily Trust.
Sources familiar with the incident told our correspondent that the driver was shot in the hand during the attack but was later spared by the gunmen.
“They shot him in the hand and abandoned him, but took the General and his wife away. He was bleeding seriously but managed to get help and has since been treated,” a source close to the family said.
Security operatives later recovered the victims’ vehicle and moved it to the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters as investigations and rescue operations intensified.
A witness, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said the attack appeared to be a well-planned ambush.
“The gunmen blocked the road and waited for vehicles. Everything happened very fast. They were many and heavily armed. People around could not intervene because of fear,” he said.
Another source said the armed men first stormed a phone-charging centre in the village, where they carted away several mobile phones and power banks.
“They also seized a motorcycle belonging to one of the villagers. After that, they moved to the road, where they encountered a red vehicle and opened fire on it,” the source said.
The incident attracted widespread attention after villagers shared photographs of the abandoned red Peugeot vehicle on social media with a caption seeking information about its owner.
“Who knows the owner of this car? The occupants were just abducted by bandits along the Matazu road,” the post read.
As the post gained traction online, a retired military officer reportedly identified the occupants as Major General Batsari (rtd) and his wife, sparking widespread concern.
However, sources in the Matazu area, where the incident occurred, believe the attackers may not have known that one of their captives was a retired senior military officer.
Residents said the retired officer may have embarked on the trip because Batsari had recently experienced a relative improvement in security compared to some other parts of the state that have long been affected by banditry.
Many indigenes of the area were said to have travelled to and from Batsari safely during the ongoing Sallah festivities.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the attack and abduction but did not identify the victims as the retired Army General and his wife.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the command said the incident occurred at about 11:00 am on Saturday when armed bandits intercepted a red Peugeot 406 saloon car travelling along the Karaduwa–Matazu road.
The statement identified the occupants as Abdullahi Sa’id, the driver, who sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm, Abdullahi Batsari and Amina Abdullahi.
However, the police did not clarify whether the individuals named in the statement were the same persons widely reported to be the retired General and his wife.
According to the police, the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Ali Umar Fage, visited the scene shortly after the incident and directed the immediate deployment of additional personnel and operational assets to strengthen ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.
The Command said security operatives were intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted victims unharmed and bring the perpetrators to justice. It added that further updates would be provided as investigations and rescue operations continue.
Local government authorities confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the growing insecurity along major and rural roads in the area.
A senior official of Matazu Local Government told our correspondent that consultations had been intensified among security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to address the situation.
Suspected mastermind
Sources within the area have claimed that the retired Army General and his wife were allegedly abducted by associates of a bandit leader known as Muhammadu Fulani, who has reportedly been terrorising communities around the Kuki and Sayaya axis.
A source in the area said the kidnappers were targeting a high-profile individual from whom they could demand a substantial ransom.
However, another source told our correspondent that there are growing doubts about any direct connection between the abduction and the camp of Fulani.
The source said Muhammadu Fulani has not been significantly active in the area in recent months following a major security operation conducted in May this year.
During the operation, joint security forces reportedly killed five bandits and rescued 32 kidnapped victims in coordinated raids targeting the bandit leader’s camp.
The source noted that the operation weakened the group’s activities and contributed to the relative peace that communities around the Batsari axis have enjoyed in recent weeks.
He further explained that Muhammadu Fulani is known for carrying out large-scale attacks that are usually designed to attract attention and instill fear among residents.
“From our experience in this area, this operation does not appear to be one spearheaded by Muhammadu Fulani. We know him as a notorious and boastful operator who likes to make his presence known whenever he strikes.
“His attacks are usually devastating and leave communities in fear and sorrow. This particular incident does not look like his handiwork or that of his loyal fighters,” the source said.
Another resident of Sayaya village also expressed similar doubts, revealing that available information suggests the abductors may not have known the true identity of their victims at the time of the attack.
According to the resident, the manner in which the operation was carried out suggests that the kidnappers could belong to a different criminal gang operating in the area rather than Muhammadu Fulani’s network.
“From what we gathered, the abductors were not even aware that they had intercepted and abducted a retired senior military officer. They appeared to be operating like opportunistic criminals rather than members of a well-known bandit group,” the resident said.
He added that the attackers were fewer in number than the large contingents usually associated with Muhammadu Fulani’s operations.
“They operated more like petty criminals. They were not as many as the fighters who usually accompany Muhammadu Fulani’s men whenever they launch attacks. The red vehicle was the only car hence it became the only target at the scene.
“Of course, it is possible that criminal groups may change their tactics over time, but from what we know, this operation does not resemble that of the Muhammadu Fulani we are familiar with, who is known to be extremely deadly and ruthless,” the resident said.
A reminder to General Tsiga’s abduction
The latest abduction marks the second known attack involving a retired military general in Katsina State since the kidnapping of retired Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga in 2025.
Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), spent 56 days in captivity after he and nine other residents were abducted by bandits.
Residents said Tsiga and four others were taken from Tsiga town, while another victim, his two wives, children, and relatives were kidnapped from the nearby Gidan Biye community.
Speaking after his release, Tsiga recounted the harsh conditions in captivity, saying the hostages were fed only once a day and regularly encountered snakes and scorpions in the forest.
“A day before I left, we suddenly saw hyenas roaming around the mountain where we were being held, searching for food. We feared they were after us,” he said.
Tsiga also revealed that the kidnappers used prominent captives as human shields during aerial bombardments by the Nigerian Air Force, believing the military would avoid striking locations where hostages were present.
He said the bandits targeted him because they assumed retired military officers and government officials had access to large sums of money. “They believed people in uniform always keep government funds. That was why they tried to force their way into my house and eventually used explosives when they could not gain access,” he said.
16 people killed in recent attack
Katsina State has remained one of the epicentres of banditry in the North-West despite sustained military operations and several community-based peace initiatives aimed at ending the violence.
Last Friday, bandits attacked Kiliya village in Dutsinma Local Government Area, killing at least 16 people.
The assault occurred shortly after residents had concluded Juma’at prayers and gathered to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
A resident, who requested anonymity, said he was among villagers relaxing after prayers when armed men stormed the community on motorcycles, causing panic and confusion. He said he narrowly escaped by taking shelter in a nearby house.
“After the Friday prayers, we were sitting together when I called a boy selling local drinks and bought a bowl from him. Suddenly, the bandits arrived. The boy and I ran into a house and hid,” he said.
“While inside, we heard screams and gunshots everywhere. When the shooting stopped and we came out, we found about 16 lifeless bodies, including some of my uncles and cousins.”
The attack reportedly sparked a mass exodus from the village, with more than 400 residents fleeing to neighbouring Bagagadi and Radda communities in search of safety.
Several people are still unaccounted for, raising concerns that the casualty figure could increase.
Residents also said some victims may have been attacked while working on their farms, as several bodies were reportedly recovered from farmlands surrounding the village.
Katsina’s most dangerous roads
Findings by our correspondent indicate that some of the most dangerous roads in Katsina State due to persistent banditry include the Marabar Musawa–Matazu–Kafin Soli–Charanchi road, Katsina–Dutsinma road, Kankara–Marabar Kankara road, Funtua–Tsafe–Gusau road, and the Jibia–Sokoto highway.
Other notorious routes are Marabar Sheme–Kankara, Marabar Kankara–Kankara–Dutsinma, and the Katsina–Kankia–Gidan Mutum Daya–Dayi–Malumfashi road.
Further findings revealed that motorists have largely abandoned the Marabar Musawa–Matazu–Kafin Soli–Charanchi road because of frequent bandit attacks.
The road has effectively become a haven for criminals who take advantage of the dense vegetation and surrounding forests to carry out attacks.
The route is a major alternative road linking Katsina with Kaduna, Funtua, Malumfashi and even parts of Kano State, including Gwarzo Local Government Area.
A resident of Musawa town, Malam Yusuf Alasan, told our correspondent that motorists had avoided the road for nearly three years.
“Only on rare occasions do you see vehicles using this road. I was surprised to hear that a retired soldier was kidnapped on the road.
“You can drive for 40 minutes without encountering another vehicle. That shows how deserted the road has become. I believe the retired military officer who was recently abducted there was unaware of the security situation,” he said.
He said bandits exploit the bushy terrain and operate at any time of the day or night.
“Not long ago, bandits passed through this town with a kidnapped victim. They were riding three motorcycles, carrying three people on each bike. The victim’s head was covered with a black cloth and his hands were tied. All of them were armed with rifles,” he said.
It was observed that many travellers from Abuja and Kaduna now prefer entering Katsina through Kano, while some take the longer Daura route to avoid dangerous stretches.
The Katsina–Dutsinma–Marabar Kankara road remains particularly risky between Dutsinma and Yargoje, while the Katsina–Kankia–Gidan Mutum Daya–Dayi–Malumfashi road is considered most dangerous between Kankia and Dayi.
The Kankara–Ruwan Godiya–Faskari road has also been virtually taken over by bandits. The route, which is the shortest link between Kankara and Faskari and forms part of the corridor to Tsafe and Gusau, is about 15 to 20 kilometres long.
Because of the insecurity, motorists now take the longer Kankara–Funtua–Faskari route, which stretches beyond 50 kilometres.
Another notorious route is the Yantumaki–Dutsinma road, which commercial drivers have nicknamed “Ka bi ta da addu’a”—meaning “travel it with prayers.” Many road users describe it as a death trap.
Similarly, the Kankara–Mabai–Ruwan Godiya–Faskari road has been largely abandoned by motorists. Daily Trust observed that only heavily armed security personnel now ply the route.
The Jibia–Sokoto highway, a federal road linking Katsina and Sokoto states, has also become notorious for bandit attacks.
Although it is the shortest route between Jibia and Sokoto, persistent attacks have forced many drivers to avoid it for years.
Residents said numerous passengers have either been kidnapped or killed during encounters with bandits along the road.
The Marabar Sheme–Kankara road, another key route linking Kankara to Tsafe and Gusau, has also been abandoned. Motorists travelling to Gusau through Kankara now pass through Funtua instead, adding about an hour to their journey.
For many residents and travellers, these roads have become symbols of the deepening security crisis confronting Katsina State and the wider North-West region.
Food production threatened in Katsina – Residents
The latest abduction has further heightened fear among residents, many of whom say insecurity has continued to disrupt farming activities, movement and local commerce in several parts of Katsina State.
Community leaders said repeated attacks and abductions along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli axis and other rural roads have forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship.
A community leader in Matazu, Malam Ibrahim Yusuf, said residents are increasingly afraid to travel.
“Our people are living in fear. Farmers can no longer go to their farms freely, and travellers are always worried about being attacked. Each new abduction deepens the trauma and uncertainty in our communities,” he said.
Members of community-based organisations in Matazu and Batsari Local Government Areas described the incident as a reflection of the broader security crisis facing the state.
Speaking to our correspondent, Musa Lawal, a member of one of the organisations, urged both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts against banditry.
“The abduction of a retired Major General clearly shows that no one is immune. We need decisive action, improved intelligence gathering and sustained military operations to dismantle these criminal networks,” he said.
Another community activist, Aisha Bello Sani, said the impact of insecurity on local economies had become severe.
It was gathered that levies have been placed on communities that wish to farm, with the gunmen insisting that huge sums be paid by farmers before accessing their farmlands.
“Many markets are no longer active, businesses are closing, and agricultural production has dropped because people are afraid to move around. Security is directly linked to economic survival,” she said.
Family members of the retired General in Kaduna and Batsari LGA in Katsina appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of the victims.
“We are praying for their safe return. General Batsari served this country with dedication and honour. We appeal to the authorities to do everything possible to rescue him and his wife unharmed,” a family member said.
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A Katsina-based security analyst and former military intelligence officer, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the recent surge in killings and abductions may be connected to political developments ahead of the next election cycle.
He said there appears to be a recurring pattern in which incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks increase as elections draw closer.
“There is a clear pattern. Each time the country approaches an election period, incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks begin to escalate. This gives room to believe that insecurity is being manipulated for political purposes,” he said.
Abubakar expressed concern that insecurity has continued despite ongoing military operations across Katsina and neighbouring states, arguing that the challenge extends beyond the battlefield.
“The military has been active, no doubt, but the major problem is the absence of strong political will to confront insecurity decisively. Without firm commitment from political leaders, military efforts alone cannot end the crisis,” he said.
He also cautioned leaders of vigilante groups and the Katsina State Community Security Watch Corps (C-Watch) against actions that could provoke reprisals from armed groups, citing the recent violence in Kiliya village, Kuki ward of Dutsinma Local Government Area.
“What happened in Kiliya is a painful reminder. Vigilantes and C-Watch officials must be properly guided and warned against any action that could trigger retaliation from bandits because it is always innocent villagers who suffer the consequences,” he said.
Abubakar called for stronger coordination among security agencies, community watch groups and political authorities, stressing that only a united, intelligence-driven approach can reverse the worsening security situation.
“There must be synergy and clear coordination. Without collective resolve and cooperation, we will continue to witness a repeat of these tragic incidents,” he added.
