Snakebite may have killed my father, not diabetes – Gen. Rabe’s son

The family of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.) has challenged claims that he died from diabetes-related complications, insisting that the former military officer had no known history of the illness.

Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), one of his sons, Isyaka Rabe, dismissed reports linking his father’s death to diabetes or hypertension, saying such claims did not reflect his medical history.

According to him, speculation persists that the retired general may have died after suffering a snakebite while in captivity, following details reportedly seen in the last video released by his abductors.

He, however, acknowledged that the exact cause of death remains known only to God.

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Offering prayers for his father’s soul, Isyaka described the deceased as a devout Muslim, a peaceful individual and a man who lived modestly throughout his life. He said the late general died a hero.

Addressing questions surrounding the recovery of his father’s body, Isyaka said the family was not informed of the circumstances under which the remains were retrieved.

“When I announced the time for my father’s funeral prayer, many people began asking how the body was recovered. I told them I did not know and that they should direct such questions to the government,” he said.

He also refuted reports that his mother, who was kidnapped alongside the late general, had regained her freedom.

“Take it from me, our mother is still in captivity. She has not been released,” he said.

Earlier, one of the deceased’s daughters, Adda Abubakar, had also rejected claims that her father suffered from diabetes. In a post on her X handle, @Addahaleem, she maintained that a snakebite was responsible for his death.

Major General Rabe and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The retired army officer later died while being held by his captors.

The Katsina State Government had announced that the former general died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension.

However, members of his family and other sources have continued to dispute that account, maintaining that he died after being bitten by a snake while in the custody of the kidnappers.

(DAILY TRUST)