With tears flowing amid a surrounding pall of sorrow, family members, military officers, government officials and residents of Katsina State witnessed the burial of the remains of retired military spokesman, Major General Rabe Abubakar, yesterday (Saturday).
The interment followed funeral prayers in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
The burial was contained in a post shared by a crisis reporter, Bakatsine, on his X handle.
However, it was not ascertained how the bereaved family managed to retrieve the body from the terrorists even as some mourners poured scorn on the Katsina State government for not doing enough to rescue the former Director of Defence Information (DDI) while in captivity of the terrorists.
The burial took place after the State Government had, earlier yesterday, confirmed that Gen. Abubakar, who, alongside his wife, was ambushed and kidnapped by terrorists on 30 May, in the state, died in the terrorists’ captivity.
Husband and wife were abducted as they were traveling along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area (LGA).
The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, had said security authorities received information indicating that the retired general died while in the custody of his abductors.
According to the Commissioner, Gen. Abubakar reportedly died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension despite what he described as sustained efforts by security agencies to secure his freedom.
State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, mourning him, described the death as a tragic loss to the State and Nigeria, noting that the late general’s demise was a significant blow given his years of dedicated service to the country.
During the funeral on Saturday, mourners gathered to pay their last respects as the retired military officer was buried in consonance with Islamic rites.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gen. Abubakar…while in service.
