Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully rescued the wife of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar after a military operation against armed bandits in Katsina State.
The rescue mission was carried out by personnel of Operation FANSAN YANMA during a security operation in Matazu Local Government Area.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a report shared on his verified X account on Monday night.
According to the report, the rescue followed a series of intelligence-driven operations launched by the military after the abduction of Mrs. Abubakar. The mission formed part of Operation CLEAN SWEEP III, which targets criminal groups operating in parts of Katsina and neighbouring communities.
Sources familiar with the operation revealed that troops tracked the kidnappers to Tunga village while carrying out a search-and-rescue mission.
Upon sighting the soldiers, the armed bandits reportedly came under pressure and fled the area during a confrontation with the troops.
During the encounter, Mrs. Abubakar sustained a gunshot wound allegedly inflicted by the fleeing criminals. However, the military was able to recover her from captivity.
A security source disclosed that soldiers immediately provided emergency medical assistance at the scene before arranging for her transfer to a medical facility for further treatment.
The source added that the victim was rescued alive and efforts were focused on ensuring she received urgent healthcare due to her injuries.
The successful operation marks another breakthrough in ongoing military efforts to combat banditry and rescue victims of kidnapping across parts of northern Nigeria.