Speaking in an interview conducted in Hausa with DW Hausa, Ishaka Rabe Abubakar, son of the late Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, dismissed reports suggesting that his mother had regained freedom, maintaining that she is still being held captive by the terrorists.
Introducing himself during the interview, Ishaka said: “My name is Ishaka Rabe Abubakar. I am the son of General Rabe Abubakar who was kidnapped and later answered Allah’s call.”
Addressing questions about how the corpse of his father was retrieved, Ishaka said the family had no explanation and urged Nigerians to direct such questions to the Katsina State Government.
He said, “Many people saw the announcement that the funeral prayer would be held at six o’clock. People then asked me, ‘How was the corpse brought back?’ I replied that I cannot answer that question. Rather, the government should be asked about it. Even I myself would like to know how the corpse was brought.”
Speaking on how the family received news of the retired general’s death, Ishaka said they had accepted the development as the will of God and believed that his father died as a martyr.
“Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), we have faith in Allah. We believe that he died as a martyr (shahid). We are certain that, God willing, he will receive Allah’s mercy and reward forever,” he said.
The bereaved son described his father as a humble, religious and peace-loving man who maintained good relationships with everyone around him.
“I can testify that my father was a good man, a believer and a religious person. I am proud of that. Everyone knows that my father never harmed anyone. Alhamdulillah, he lived peacefully with everybody. Whenever he came among people, no one would think of him as someone arrogant or hostile,” Ishaka stated.
Speaking on the conflicting report surrounding his father’s death, he said, “The truth is that it was not diabetes that caused this illness. In our view, it was most likely a snakebite because a snakebite could explain the marks and the condition seen on his leg,”
“As for the reports from others saying that he was walking around while ill, Allah knows best, since Allah alone has full knowledge of what truly happened.”
On the release of the mother, he declared, “As of now, anyone who says she has been released is lying. I, Ishaka Rabe, son of General Rabe Abubakar, am saying clearly that she has not been released. She is still in their custody,”
Asked to deliver a message to government authorities in light of the tragedy that has befallen his family, Ishaka said while they were not directly accusing the Katsina State governor of involvement in the incident, leadership comes with responsibility for the welfare and protection of citizens.
“As for the government, we do not place ourselves between a person and Allah. Just as no one should tell us otherwise, we should not pass judgment concerning someone’s relationship with Allah. Allah responds directly to anyone who has been wronged and who calls upon Him for justice,” he said.
“We are not saying that the governor personally did this or that he is directly responsible for what happened. However, he is the governor. Whoever is given leadership is regarded as a father, a mother and a guardian of the people.”
Delivering a direct message to the Katsina State governor, Ishaka added: “My direct message to the governor is: May Allah continue to guide and watch over him. And as for us, we are waiting for our mother.”
