KEY POINTS

• Nigerian Army and Air Force troops rescued Mrs. Rabe Abubakar during an operation in Tunga Village.
• Her husband, retired Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, died while being held by bandits after the couple was abducted in May.
• The military has pledged continued operations to apprehend those responsible and ensure the rescued victim’s full recovery.

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working alongside personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, have successfully rescued Mrs. Rabe Abubakar, the wife of retired Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, who recently died while being held captive by bandits.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced the development in a statement issued on Monday by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information. According to the military, the rescue followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts carried out by troops under Operation FASAN YAMMA.

The military said troops maintained sustained pressure on the criminal groups and eventually made contact with the bandits around Tunga Village. The encounter led to the successful recovery of Mrs. Abubakar.

Following the operation, she was immediately evacuated to a military hospital, where she is currently receiving medical care. Authorities disclosed that she is responding positively to treatment.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria assured that every necessary support would be provided to ensure her full recovery and to assist her family during the difficult period.

Military Vows to Pursue Attackers

The Defence Headquarters also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing operations aimed at tracking down and neutralising those responsible for the abduction and death of the retired senior officer.

Security forces have intensified efforts against armed groups operating in the north-west as part of ongoing campaigns to curb banditry and kidnapping.

Retired Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, and his wife were kidnapped in May while travelling through Katsina State.

On June 6, a video that surfaced online showed the couple appealing to the Katsina State Government to secure their release. In the footage, they urged the authorities to release detained bandits and return confiscated livestock in exchange for their freedom.

However, the retired military officer did not survive the ordeal. The Katsina State Government announced on Saturday that General Abubakar had died while in captivity.

He was buried the same day at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery in Katsina State, where family members, friends and associates paid their final respects.

The tragic death of the retired general and the abduction of his wife have once again highlighted the persistent security challenges facing parts of northern Nigeria. Despite ongoing military operations, bandit attacks and kidnappings continue to pose serious threats to residents and travellers across the region.

The successful rescue of Mrs. Abubakar is being seen as a significant breakthrough in efforts to bring victims to safety and hold perpetrators accountable.