Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have 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 by suspected bandits in Katsina State.

The late senior military officer was killed by his captors while in captivity.

The rescue was achieved during intensified search-and-rescue operations conducted under Operation FASAN YAMMA, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.

The military said troops sustained pressure on criminal elements through offensive operations, leading to contact with the bandits at Tunga Village, where Mrs Abubakar was successfully recovered.

According to the statement, the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar during the encounter before abandoning her and fleeing in the face of advancing troops.

“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 rescued victim was immediately evacuated for medical treatment and is currently receiving care at a military hospital.

“She is responding to treatment,” the statement added.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria assured the public of its commitment to ensuring Mrs Abubakar’s full recovery and stated that all necessary support was being provided to her family during the difficult period.

The military also reaffirmed its determination to apprehend those responsible for the abduction and killing of the former defence spokesman.

Troops, according to the statement, will continue ongoing operations aimed at tracking down and neutralising the perpetrators while intensifying efforts to rid affected communities of terrorists and bandits in Katsina State and across the country.