Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar's son, Isyaka Rabe, disputes claims his father died of diabetes, suggesting a heart attack or snake bite. His mother remains captive.

The Katsina State Government has confirmed the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of bandits,

'Only Katsina Govt Can Explain How My Father's Corpse Was Retrieved From Bandits’ Den’ –Son Of Late Retd Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar