There are indications that notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, has made contacts with relations of the abducted retired senior military commander, Major General Rabe Abubakar Batsari.
Daily Trust says that sources told our correspondent that the bandit kingpin who operates in areas of Katsina State created a line of communication with the family of the retired General yesterday morning.
The former Major General and his wife were said to have been abducted on Saturday in Katsina State.
The gunmen reportedly emerged from hiding and opened fire on the vehicle, which was travelling along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area, forcing it to a stop, before whisking the retired officer and his wife into a nearby forest.
The road is perilous, say the local population, because bandits strike it repeatedly.
“During the conversation facilitated by the bandit leader, I personally spoke with the abducted officer,” a top local government official in Batsari, who asked not to be named for security reasons, told our correspondent.
I spoke with Major General Rabe through Kachallah Muhammad. “He told us that he is healthy and his wife is also fine,” the officer said.
The retired general has told his family and acquaintances that they are being appropriately taken care of by their captors, a fact that has partially calmed anxiety among relatives and inhabitants of the area, the source said.
The officer further added that throughout the contact, Kachallah Muhammad stated his demands, demanding for the release of his relatives, who he claimed were being held by the Nigerian security authorities.
He is demanding the immediate release of his family who are currently being held by the government,” the official added.
The bandit leader, the source added, also indicated desire to return to the negotiation table. “He is open to dialogue for the restoration of peace in Matazu and other parts of his domain,” the source said.
“He said he is ready to return to the negotiation table to bring peace to Matazu and neighbouring communities,” the official added.
Residents worried about family
The abduction of the retired senior military officer has sent waves of grave anxiety among his relatives and people of Batsari, who described the occurrence as a huge setback to his family and the town that had benefited from his service and philanthropy over the years.
The retired general, whom a family member, Mariya Ibrahim, described as the family’s breadwinner, was heading to Katsina for a wedding with his wife when they were taken.
“He served this country with dedication and deserves protection even in retirement. “We want him and his wife rescued alive and safe,” she said.
One homeowner, Ibrahim Mamman Batsari, said: “If a retired senior military officer can be kidnapped, what about the ordinary citizen? “The government has to take responsibility.
Another relative, Aisha Abubakar Batsari, said the retired officer was the backbone of the extended family, appealing for his safe rescue.
The general was said to have shown keen interest in community development programs in Batsari.
Haruna Mai Maganin Kwari Batsari, a community leader, said the retired officer was scheduled to visit the town on the day of the incident to discuss community issues.
Security analyst Abubakar Ibrahim said the incident shows a worrying rise of instability in Katsina State and warned that criminal gangs appear to be growing bolder.
“The kidnapping of a retired Major General shows how audacious bandits have become. It highlights the vulnerability of major routes and rural populations. “If no urgent and firm action is taken, the situation could worsen.
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