Troops of the Nigerian Army, with support from the Nigerian Air Force, have rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, the wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside her husband by bandits in Katsina State several weeks ago.
The Defence Headquarters announced the development on Monday, revealing that the rescue was achieved following intensified search-and-rescue operations carried out by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, troops encountered the kidnappers at Tunga Village during sustained military operations against criminal groups in the area.
According to the military, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing as troops closed in on their location.
“The rescue operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts conducted by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma. During sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements, troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga Village, leading to the successful recovery of Mrs Abubakar.
“In the course of the encounter, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing due to the overwhelming pressure from advancing troops,” the statement said.
The rescued woman was immediately evacuated to a military hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment and responding positively.
The Armed Forces assured that all necessary support would be provided to ensure her full recovery and to assist her family during the difficult period.
Her husband, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, died while in captivity after suffering health complications during the ordeal.
Operation Clean Sweep III Intensifies
The rescue came as troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, intensified operations across Katsina State under a mission tagged Operation Clean Sweep III.
The operation, which began on June 14, was launched following the death of the retired general and is aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring security in affected communities.
According to the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops have been carrying out aggressive patrols, intelligence-driven raids, and clearance operations across identified criminal hideouts.
He disclosed that major successes had been recorded in the Dikkawa Hills and surrounding communities, where several terrorist camps and logistics bases were destroyed.
“Since the commencement of the operation on 14 June 2026, troops have conducted aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions across identified criminal hideouts and suspected terrorist enclaves within the Joint Operations Area,” Danja said.
Operations in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa communities also led to the destruction of facilities used by terrorists to sustain their activities.
The military assured residents of Matazu and nearby communities that efforts to rid the region of bandits and terrorists would continue.
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Troops Dislodge Lakurawa Terrorists in Kebbi
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma have successfully dislodged suspected Lakurawa terrorists during a separate operation in Dogon Daji area of Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The operation, conducted on Sunday, saw troops overpower the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to abandon their camp and flee.
Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, said soldiers pursued the fleeing terrorists and recovered a large cache of weapons and explosives.
Items recovered included rocket-propelled grenade launcher tubes, RPG warheads, improvised explosive devices, two motorcycles, battery chargers and other materials used by the group.
“The gallant troops brought superior firepower to bear on the Lakurawa terrorist group, decisively overwhelming the terrorists and forcing them to flee,” Osoba said.
He added that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation.
The military said it would continue its offensive against terrorist groups operating across the North-West region.
