Kachalla Muhammad, a bandit kingpin, has said that he did not release the wife of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, as he had promised because he did not want security agencies to take credit for her release.

The retired major general and his wife were abducted while travelling to Katsina on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area.

But Kachalla in an audio message circulating on social media said he suspended the plan because of the heavy presence of security personnel in the area.

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The bandit leader said he had initially indicated willingness to release the retired general’s wife, but later declined because of the ongoing security operations in the area.

He said, “I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind.”

Kachalla also expressed anger over the arrest of individuals he claimed were linked to his group, warning that the arrests had complicated efforts toward any possible dialogue.

He further demanded the release of three persons his people allegedly in government custody and the return of cattle allegedly seized during security operations in the Jikamshi area.

The bandit leader stated that meeting the demands could pave the way for peace and an end to attacks in the area.

However, the Katsina State government has expressed optimism that security operatives would rescue of the retired military officer and his wife.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, said security and intelligence operations had advanced significantly since the abduction.

According to the statement, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda had directed security agencies to prioritise efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the couple and other victims held in captivit

“The way this attack was carried out suggests it was carefully planned and specifically targeted. This has influenced the government’s response strategy. Security agencies are working around the clock, deploying intelligence and technology to locate the victims and secure their release,” the statement read.