Nigerian retired general abducted with his wife in the north-west

A retired elder Nigerian subject serviceman and his woman person been kidnapped by equipped men successful north-west Nigeria, the service has confirmed.

Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, who had a high-profile occupation arsenic subject spokesperson betwixt 2015 and 2017, was abducted from his car connected Saturday portion travelling successful Katsina state.

Efforts are present nether mode to rescue the mates and way down their captors, subject spokesperson Gen Michael Onoja told the BBC.

The kidnapping highlights the continuing information challenges facing parts of north-west Nigeria, wherever transgression gangs known locally arsenic "bandits" often transportation retired kidnappings for ransom, arsenic good arsenic cattle rustling and attacks connected agrarian communities.

Some militant jihadists person besides operated successful the region. An alleged militant campy successful Sokoto authorities was the people of a US airstrike connected 25 December past year.

Katsina has been 1 of the states astir affected by the violence.

Zamfara state, which neighbours some Katsina and Sokoto, has seen years of akin violence, with immoderate communities antecedently attempting to marque bid with equipped groups, efforts that person mostly failed to bring lasting stability.

The authorities has intensified actions to curb kidnapping, including introducing measures aimed astatine discouraging ransom payments. However, attacks person continued.

No radical has said it was down Saturday's abduction and the service is inactive waiting for the kidnappers to interaction the family, the service said.

Local reports accidental the retired wide was travelling to Katsina for a wedding erstwhile gunmen attacked his vehicle.

Abubakar's operator reportedly escaped contempt being deed by gunfire, portion the erstwhile subject spokesperson and his woman were taken distant by the attackers into a adjacent forested area.

The abduction comes days aft different deadly onslaught successful Katsina state. On Friday, equipped men reportedly raided Kiliya colony successful Dutsinma Local Government Area, sidesplitting astatine slightest 16 people.

Police person not yet commented connected the reported killings.

Residents said the onslaught happened soon aft Friday prayers, arsenic radical gathered to observe the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Security agencies had issued warnings astir imaginable attacks during the celebrations, prompting immoderate authorities governments to present measures aimed astatine limiting ample nationalist gatherings and strengthening security.