Troops rescue shot wife of late General Rabe Abubakar in Katsina
Troops of the Nigerian Army, with air support from the Nigerian Air Force under Operation FASAN YAMMA, have successfully rescued Mrs. Amina Abubakar, the wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd).
The rescue comes weeks after the couple was abducted by bandits in Katsina State, and just days after the tragic demise of her husband in captivity.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the development on Monday, June 15, describing Mrs. Abubakar’s rescue as a “significant breakthrough” in the ongoing military offensive aimed at dismantling criminal networks in the North-West.
Mrs. Abubakar was freed during a high-stakes military operation at Tunga Village, following sustained, intelligence-driven raids on bandit enclaves.
According to military authorities, the bandits shot Mrs. Abubakar during a fierce encounter with advancing troops before abandoning her and fleeing into the forest under intense military pressure.
“The troops promptly evacuated her to a military medical facility, where she is currently receiving intensive treatment and responding positively,” the DHQ stated.
Major General Rabe Abubakar, a highly respected former Director of Defence Information and one-time military spokesman, was ambushed alongside his wife on May 30, 2026.
The couple was traveling through the Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State en route to a wedding when armed bandits intercepted their vehicle along the Marabar Musawa-Kafinsoli Road near Zakin Baure village. While their driver managed to escape despite sustaining gunshot wounds, the general and his wife were whisked into the forest.
Days into their captivity, the abductors released a social media video demanding the release of their detained associates and the return of seized livestock.
Investigations by the Katsina State government later revealed that the attack was not random. Preliminary findings indicated that the bandits had monitored and trailed the couple all the way from Kaduna before striking in Katsina.
Tragedy in the den: General dies in captivity
The rescue operation brings a bittersweet relief to the nation, which was thrown into mourning on June 13, when authorities confirmed the tragic death of Major General Abubakar while still in the custody of his abductors.
Official reports dismissed speculations of an execution, clarifying that the retired senior officer succumbed to complications from diabetes and hypertension, which worsened under the harsh conditions of captivity and a total lack of medical attention.
His death sparked widespread condemnation from military veterans, political leaders, and security stakeholders nationwide.
Military Unleashes ‘Operation CLEAN SWEEP III’
In direct response to the General’s death, the military launched a specialized offensive code-named Operation CLEAN SWEEP III across the Matazu Local Government Area and surrounding borders.
The Joint Task Force North-West, operating under Operation FASAN YAMMA, has intensified fighting patrols, raids, and clearance operations to hunt down the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the military’s resolve, the current Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, stated.
The targeting of a high-profile retired military spokesperson underscores the audacity and sophistication of bandit groups operating in the North-West.
While security analysts note that the incident exposes the gaps travelers face on regional highways, the successful and aggressive rescue of Mrs. Abubakar is being hailed as a major morale booster for the troops and a clear message that the military will pursue criminal elements to their farthest hideouts.
