Military Rescues Widow of Slain General After Fierce Operation Against Bandits in Katsina

Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, the wife of late Major-General Rabe Abubakar, weeks after she was abducted by bandits alongside her husband in Katsina State.

The rescue operation, carried out on Monday by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma with support from the Nigerian Air Force, comes days after the tragic death of the retired senior military officer while in captivity.

The Defence Headquarters confirmed the development in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, describing the rescue as the outcome of sustained military pressure on criminal groups operating in the North-West.

According to the military, troops pursuing intelligence-led operations against armed bandits traced the kidnappers to Tunga Village, where they engaged the criminals during a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.

Faced with advancing military forces, the abductors reportedly opened fire and fled the area. In the process, Mrs Abubakar sustained gunshot injuries before being abandoned by her captors.

Military personnel immediately secured the area and evacuated her for urgent medical attention.

Defence Headquarters said the rescue highlighted the determination of security forces to recover victims of kidnapping and dismantle criminal networks terrorising communities across the region.

The operation was conducted under Operation Fansan Yamma, a major military campaign targeting banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the North-West. The operation involves coordinated actions by the Nigerian Army, Air Force and other security agencies aimed at disrupting criminal hideouts and restoring security in affected communities.

Mrs Abubakar’s rescue comes amid nationwide mourning over the death of her husband, retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, a former spokesman of the Nigerian Army and one of the country’s most respected military officers.

The retired general was reportedly abducted while travelling with his wife to his hometown in Katsina State. His captivity attracted widespread public attention after a video allegedly released by his kidnappers surfaced online.

President Bola Tinubu had earlier condemned the killing of the retired officer, describing it as a tragic loss to the nation and reaffirming the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

Security experts say the rescue demonstrates the increasing reliance on intelligence-driven operations in the fight against criminal groups operating across northern Nigeria. In recent months, security agencies have intensified aerial surveillance, ground assaults and rescue missions aimed at freeing abducted victims and weakening bandit strongholds.

The North-West remains one of the regions most affected by kidnapping and armed attacks, with several communities facing recurring threats from heavily armed groups that operate from forested areas and remote settlements.

Authorities have continued to urge residents to support security operations through the provision of timely information, while government officials maintain that ongoing military offensives are yielding positive results.

Although details regarding Mrs Abubakar’s medical condition were not immediately disclosed, military authorities expressed confidence that she would receive appropriate treatment and care following her ordeal.

The rescue is likely to provide some comfort to the family of the late general and stands as a significant morale boost for ongoing efforts to combat insecurity in the region.