Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, weeks after she was abducted alongside her husband by bandits in Katsina State.
The successful rescue followed intensified search-and-rescue operations conducted by troops under Operation Fansan Yamma as security forces sustained pressure on criminal elements operating within the area.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, troops made contact with the bandits during offensive operations around Tunga Village, leading to Mrs Abubakar’s recovery.
“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,” the statement said.
The military disclosed that the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar during the encounter before abandoning her and fleeing in the face of advancing troops.
“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 added.
Following her rescue, Mrs Abubakar was immediately evacuated to a military medical facility, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Military authorities said she is responding positively to treatment, while the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to ensuring her full recovery and providing necessary support to her family.
The military also vowed to sustain operations aimed at tracking down those responsible for the abduction and death of the retired senior officer.
“Troops will continue ongoing operations to track down and neutralise the perpetrators, while intensifying efforts to rid affected communities of terrorists not just in Katsina but in the entire nation,” the statement noted.
The late general Abubakar died in captivity after he was abducted alongside his wife.