Nigerian troops, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have rescued the wife of a retired military officer who died in captivity after being abducted by bandits in Katsina State, the Defence Headquarters said Monday.
Amina Abubakar, widow of retired Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, was rescued during a search-and-rescue operation conducted by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, according to a statement by Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information.
Uba said troops engaged suspected kidnappers at Tunga Village during sustained military operations against criminal groups in the area.
During the encounter, the kidnappers allegedly shot Amina Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing as troops advanced, the military said.
She was immediately evacuated to a military hospital, where she is receiving treatment and responding positively, according to the statement.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria said it remains committed to supporting her recovery and assisting her family while continuing efforts to apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
Retired Maj. Gen. Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, died while in captivity after he and his wife were abducted by bandits in Katsina State several weeks ago.
The rescue coincided with intensified military operations under Operation Fansan Yamma across parts of Katsina State.
In a separate statement, the military said troops launched Operation Clean Sweep III on June 14 following the killing of the retired general. The operation targets terrorist and bandit hideouts in Matazu Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
According to Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for Operation Fansan Yamma, troops have carried out fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions across identified criminal enclaves.
Military forces reportedly destroyed several terrorist hideouts, logistics bases and support structures in the Dikkawa Hills area and in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa communities.
The military said the operation is being conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to improve security and deny criminal groups freedom of movement within the state.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, said they overpowered suspected Lakurawa terrorists during an offensive operation in Dogon Daji, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 8 Division, troops engaged the group in a firefight and forced the suspects to abandon their camp and flee.
Security forces later recovered rocket-propelled grenade launch tubes, RPG warheads, improvised explosive devices, two motorcycles, battery chargers and other equipment allegedly left behind by the fleeing suspects.
Osoba said no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation.
