Mrs Amina Abubakar, the widow of the late Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar. Photo: Military.
Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, on Monday, rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, the widow of the late Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted by bandits alongside her husband several weeks ago.
The Defence Headquarters announced the rescue on Monday, saying the operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.
A statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said troops made contact with the kidnappers at Tunga Village during sustained offensive operations against criminal elements in the area.
According to the military, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing in the face of advancing troops.
“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 military said the rescued victim was immediately evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment.
“Mrs Abubakar was immediately evacuated and is currently receiving medical attention at a military hospital, where she is responding to treatment,” Uba stated.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria assured that it would provide all necessary support to ensure her recovery and assist her family during the period.
“The leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to ensuring her full recovery and is providing all necessary support to her family during this difficult period,” the statement added.
The military also vowed to sustain operations aimed at apprehending those responsible for the abduction and other criminal activities.
The late Maj Gen Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, died in captivity after he and his wife were abducted by bandits in Katsina State.
The rescue came as troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, launched a major offensive against terrorists and bandits in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The troops destroyed several criminal hideouts and logistics bases during the clearance operations.
The military said the operation, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep III, commenced on June 14, 2026, following the killing of Maj Gen Abubakar (retd), who was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists in the area.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, troops had been carrying out aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions across identified terrorist enclaves within the joint operations area.
Danja said troops recorded significant successes in the Dikkawa Hills area and neighbouring communities, where several terrorist hideouts were discovered and destroyed.
