Bandits ambushed a vehicle in Katsina State on Saturday and abducted two occupants along a rural road. Fresh details now reveal who was taken and how the attack unfolded.
Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari (retired) was travelling with his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, when gunmen struck. They were heading to Katsina on the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli route in Matazu Local Government Area.
Armed men emerged suddenly near Zakin Baure village and blocked the road. They opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to stop before dragging the general and his wife into nearby forest.
Their driver, Abdullahi Sa'idu, was shot in the hand during the shooting. But the gunmen released him, and he later received medical treatment.
A family source told reporters what happened next: "They shot him in the hand and abandoned him, but took the General and his wife away." Sa'idu was bleeding heavily but managed to find help.
Police recovered the red Peugeot vehicle and moved it to Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters. Investigators began working to locate the victims.
An anonymous witness described a coordinated operation. "The gunmen blocked the road and waited for vehicles," he explained to journalists.
According to him, the attackers were numerous and heavily armed. Residents couldn't intervene because of fear, he noted.
Before hitting the road, the bandits raided a phone-charging centre in the village. They stole several mobile phones, power banks, and a motorcycle.
"They also seized a motorcycle belonging to one of the villagers," another source said. "After that, they moved to the road, where they encountered a red vehicle."
Villagers posted photographs of the abandoned car on social media seeking information. The post asked: "Who knows the owner of this car?"
A retired military officer identified the occupants through the social media images. News spread quickly that a former senior army commander had been taken.
Sources in Matazu believe the attackers didn't realise they'd captured a retired general. The bandits may have simply seen a vehicle to rob and ambush.
Many residents had travelled safely through Batsari recently. Security had improved noticeably compared to other parts of Katsina State during Sallah celebrations.
Katsina State Police Command confirmed the attack and abduction occurred. Officials didn't publicly identify the victims when making their statement to journalists.
