Bandits Demand Return of Livestock, Detainees in New Video of Abducted Ex-Military Spokesman

Bandits holding a former Nigerian military spokesman and his wife have released a video showing the couple in captivity, with demands centred on the release of detained associates and the return of livestock allegedly seized from the group.
In the four-minute, two-second video circulating on social media, the retired army general and his wife were seen standing as they relayed the demands of their captors.
Speaking in the footage, the general’s wife said the abductors were demanding the release of three individuals identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru. She also stated that the group was seeking the return of livestock allegedly confiscated from them.
According to her, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi, while the third was apprehended in Kano.
She appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands in order to secure the release of the hostages.
The retired military officer, who spoke briefly in the video, called for efforts to promote peace, claiming that the abductors had expressed a willingness to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Notably, no monetary ransom demand was mentioned throughout the recording.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Katsina State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the video.
The former military spokesman was reportedly abducted on Saturday while travelling to Katsina alongside his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, and their driver, Abdullahi Sa’idu.
Sources said their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack reportedly occurred near Zakin Baure village, where armed men suspected to be bandits emerged from hiding, blocked the road and opened fire on the vehicle, forcing it to stop.
During the attack, the driver was said to have sustained a gunshot wound to the hand but was later spared by the assailants.