By Peter Omopo
The Nigerian Army, with support from the Nigerian Air Force, has rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, following weeks of captivity in the hands of bandits.
Mrs Abubakar was abducted alongside her husband during an attack by armed bandits. The retired senior military officer was later reported to have died in captivity and has since been buried.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the rescue was achieved through intensified search-and-rescue operations conducted by troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA.
According to the military, troops sustained pressure on criminal elements operating in the area and eventually made contact with the bandits at Tunga Village during an offensive operation.
The statement noted that the encounter led to the successful recovery of Mrs Abubakar.
“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 confrontation before abandoning her and fleeing as troops advanced on their location.
“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, she was immediately evacuated to a military medical facility, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Military authorities stated that Mrs Abubakar is responding positively to treatment and remains under close medical supervision.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria also assured the public of its commitment to ensuring her full recovery while providing the necessary support to her family during the difficult period.
The military further reaffirmed its determination to pursue the perpetrators of the abduction and intensify operations against terrorists and criminal groups across the country.
According to the statement, troops will continue ongoing operations to track down those responsible for the attack while sustaining efforts to restore security in affected communities, particularly in Katsina State and other troubled parts of the country.
The rescue has been described as a significant breakthrough in the military’s ongoing campaign against banditry and terrorism across the nation.
