Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, wife of the late retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, following a gun battle with terrorists in Katsina State.
A credible military source said that the rescue was carried out by troops of the 17 Brigade during an ongoing search-and-rescue mission for the retired general’s family.
According to the source, the troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga village, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
“The bandits reportedly shot Mrs Abubakar before fleeing under pressure from the advancing troops,” the source disclosed.
The source said the troops rescued her, administered first aid, and immediately began evacuating her to a medical facility in Dutsin-Ma for treatment.
“Troops of 17 Brigade rescued Mrs Abubakar after making contact with the bandits at Tunga village.
“The bandits shot her and fled. She was bleeding, but troops administered first aid and are moving her to Dutsin-Ma for medical attention,” a military source said.
The rescue comes two days after the Defence Headquarters confirmed the death of Maj.-Gen. Abubakar (rtd.), who was abducted alongside his wife by bandits.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the rescue of Mrs Amina Abubakar from bandits’ captivity.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Uba said troops of the Nigerian Army, with support from the Nigerian Air Force, rescued Abubakar during intensified search-and-rescue operations under Operation Fansan Yamma.
He said the rescue followed sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements by troops operating in the area.
According to him, troops made contact with the bandits at Tunga village, leading to the successful recovery of Abubakar.
“The rescue operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts conducted by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.
“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 Abubakar.”
Uba said the bandits shot Abubakar during the encounter before abandoning her and fleeing due to the overwhelming pressure from advancing troops.
He said she was immediately evacuated and was currently receiving medical attention at a military hospital.
“Mrs Abubakar is responding to treatment,” he said.
The defence spokesman said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained committed to ensuring her full recovery and was providing all necessary support to her family.
He added that troops would continue ongoing operations to track down and neutralise the perpetrators.
Uba said efforts were also being intensified to rid affected communities of terrorists and other criminal elements across Katsina State and the country at large.
The DHQ had on June 13 confirmed the death of Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar (rtd.) in captivity in spite of efforts by security forces to secure his release.
