By, Joy Omotosho
Retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, has died in captivity months after his abduction, the Defence Headquarters confirmed Friday.

The Defence Headquarters said Abubakar lost his life while in captivity but did not state when or how he died. He was abducted by gunmen at an undisclosed location.

In a statement signed by the current Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, on Saturday, the Armed Forces of Nigeria said it withheld public comment on the abduction to protect ongoing rescue efforts by the military and other security agencies.

“Every operational resource was deployed in the hope of securing his safe return,” the statement said.

The AFN described Abubakar as a distinguished officer who served as spokesman for various military formations and later as Defence spokesman. He contributed to counter-insurgency operations and professional development in the military.

The death has further strengthened the military’s resolve to eradicate terrorism, the statement said. Operations across the country have been intensified to dismantle terrorist networks and bring perpetrators to justice.

The Defence Headquarters conveyed sympathies to the Abubakar family and Nigerians.