Isyaka Rabe, one of the sons of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), has disputed claims by the Katsina State Government that his father died from complications related to diabetes.
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle on Sunday, Isyaka said reports linking the former military officer’s death to diabetes were inaccurate, insisting that his father had never suffered from the condition.
According to him, the family does not believe diabetes was responsible for the retired general’s death while in captivity.
“I truly don’t believe it was diabetes,” he said. “In our view, it was a heart attack. If you look at it, his legs were restrained. Moreover, some people said he was walking and didn’t die then, so only God truly knows what happened.”
He also addressed speculation that the late general may have died from a snake bite, following reports of a video allegedly released by his abductors. However, he stressed that the exact cause of death remains unknown.
“Only God is the knower,” he added.
Isyaka further revealed that the family still does not know how the late general’s body was recovered.
“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people asked how the body was returned. I told them I do not know and that such questions should be directed to the government,” he said.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his death, he described his father as a hero who served the country with honour.
He also dismissed social media reports claiming that his mother, who was abducted alongside the retired general, had regained freedom.
According to him, she remains in captivity.
The death of the retired military officer has continued to generate public concern, with questions lingering over the circumstances of his final moments and the fate of those still being held by abductors.
