The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who died in captivity after being abducted.
In a statement issued by the Armed Forces of Nigeria on 13 June 2026, the military announced the passing of the retired senior officer and extended condolences to his family, colleagues, and Nigerians.
The statement noted that Major General Abubakar served in several roles during his military career, including as Director of Defence Information and spokesperson for various military formations.
According to the Defence Headquarters, he contributed to counter-insurgency operations, military communications, and the professional development of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The military stated that public communication regarding his abduction was withheld while efforts were ongoing to secure his release. It added that operational resources were deployed in response to the situation.
The Armed Forces described the incident as a sad development and reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional responsibility of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It further stated that operations have been intensified in response to recent abductions and related security incidents across the country.
Authorities also confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track those responsible and dismantle terrorist networks.The Defence Headquarters assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces will continue operations aimed at restoring security and bringing perpetrators to justice.
