Nigerian troops have rescued Amina Abubakar, the widow of the late Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, several weeks after she was abducted alongside her husband by bandits in Katsina state, the military has said.
The Defence Headquarters announced on Monday that soldiers, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, recovered Abubakar during an operation by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, following what it described as sustained search-and-rescue efforts targeting criminal groups in the region.
According to a statement signed by the director of defence information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, troops made contact with the kidnappers at Tunga village during an ongoing offensive against armed groups operating in the area.
The military said the kidnappers shot Abubakar before abandoning her as advancing troops closed in on their position.
“The rescue operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts conducted by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma,” the statement said. “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.
“In the course of the encounter, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing due to the overwhelming pressure from advancing troops.”
She was immediately evacuated to a military medical facility and is receiving treatment, with the armed forces saying she is responding positively.
“The leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to ensuring her full recovery and is providing all necessary support to her family during this difficult period,” Uba added.
The military pledged to continue operations aimed at apprehending those responsible for the abduction and other acts of violence across the north-west.
The rescue comes weeks after the death of Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, a former director of defence information, who died while in captivity after he and his wife were seized by armed men in Katsina.
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have launched a major offensive against terrorist and bandit groups in Matazu local government area of Katsina state.
The operation, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep III, began on 14 June following the killing of the retired general and has targeted suspected criminal enclaves across the area.
In a statement, the operation’s media information officer, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, said troops had carried out fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search missions and clearance operations in communities including Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa.
Security forces destroyed several hideouts and logistics bases used by armed groups, Danja said, dealing a significant blow to their ability to operate.
“Since the commencement of the operation on 14 June 2026, troops have conducted aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations and clearance missions across identified criminal hideouts and suspected terrorist enclaves within the joint operations area,” he said.
The military said the campaign was being conducted in coordination with other security agencies and local stakeholders as part of wider efforts to improve security in Katsina and surrounding areas.
In neighbouring Kebbi state, troops of Sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma reported another success after overrunning a camp used by suspected Lakurawa militants in Dogon Daji, Dandi local government area.
According to Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, acting deputy director of army public relations for the 8 Division, soldiers forced the militants to flee after a fierce engagement and subsequently recovered a cache of weapons and explosives.
Items seized included rocket-propelled grenade launch tubes, RPG warheads, improvised explosive devices, motorcycles and other logistics equipment allegedly abandoned by the fleeing group.
“The gallant troops brought superior firepower to bear on the Lakurawa terrorist group, decisively overwhelming the terrorists and forcing them to flee,” Osoba said.
He added that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation.
The latest operations underline the military’s renewed push against armed groups across north-west Nigeria, where banditry, kidnapping and insurgent activity continue to pose a significant security challenge despite repeated offensives by security forces.
