By Friday Temitope Eugenia
Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, widow of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted alongside her husband by bandits in Katsina State several weeks ago.
The Defence Headquarters announced the rescue on Monday, stating that the operation was carried out by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma following intensified search-and-rescue efforts across bandit enclaves in the state.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, troops engaged the kidnappers at Tunga Village during sustained offensive operations. The military said the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing under pressure from advancing troops.
According to the statement, the rescued victim was immediately evacuated to a military medical facility, where she is currently receiving treatment and 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 stated.
The military also reaffirmed its commitment to tracking down those responsible for the abduction and other criminal activities in the region.
Major General Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, died in captivity after he and his wife were kidnapped by armed bandits in Katsina State.
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, commenced on June 14 following the killing of the retired general. Troops have since conducted aggressive patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions targeting identified criminal hideouts.
The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops recorded significant successes in Dikkawa Hills and neighbouring communities, where several terrorist camps, logistics bases and support structures were discovered and destroyed.
He noted that operations were also carried out in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa communities, further degrading the operational capacity of criminal groups in the area.
Danja said the ongoing offensive is being conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to improve security across Katsina State.
He assured residents of Matazu and surrounding communities of the military’s determination to protect lives and property and prevent criminal elements from operating freely.
Troops Dislodge Lakurawa Terrorists in Kebbi
In a separate operation, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, overpowered suspected Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State and recovered a cache of weapons and explosives.
The operation took place in Dogon Daji area of Dandi Local Government Area on June 14 as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorist networks operating across the North-West.
According to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to abandon their camp and flee.
Items recovered during the operation included rocket-propelled grenade launch tubes, RPG warheads, improvised explosive devices, motorcycles, battery chargers and other logistics equipment.
Osoba said the troops pursued the fleeing terrorists and recovered the weapons and equipment along their escape routes, adding that no casualties were recorded among military personnel during the operation.
The military described the operation as a significant success in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks across the North-West region.
