Troops rescue late General’s wife in Katsina offensive

Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, on Monday, rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, the widow of the late Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar, who was abducted by bandits alongside her husband several weeks ago.

The Defence Headquarters announced the rescue on Monday, saying the operation followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.

A statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said troops made contact with the kidnappers at Tunga Village during sustained offensive operations against criminal elements in the area.

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

“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 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,” the statement said.

The military said the rescued victim was immediately evacuated to a military medical facility for treatment.

“Mrs Abubakar was immediately evacuated and is currently receiving medical attention at a military hospital, where she is responding to treatment,” Uba stated.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria assured that it would provide all necessary support to ensure her recovery and assist her family during the period.

“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,” the statement added.

The military also vowed to sustain operations aimed at apprehending those responsible for the abduction and other criminal activities.

The late Maj Gen Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, died in captivity after he and his wife were abducted by bandits in Katsina State.

The rescue came as troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, launched a major offensive against terrorists and bandits in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The troops destroyed several criminal hideouts and logistics bases during the clearance operations.

The military said the operation, codenamed Operation Clean Sweep III, commenced on June 14, 2026, following the killing of Maj Gen Abubakar (retd), who was abducted alongside his wife by suspected terrorists in the area.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, troops had been carrying out aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led raids, cordon-and-search operations, and clearance missions across identified terrorist enclaves within the joint operations area.

Danja said troops recorded significant successes in the Dikkawa Hills area and neighbouring communities, where several terrorist hideouts were discovered and destroyed.

“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.

He added that clearance operations were conducted in Adua, Nasarawa and Karaduwa communities, leading to the destruction of terrorists’ support structures.

“During the operations, terrorists’ life-support structures and logistics bases were discovered and destroyed, further degrading the criminals’ ability to operate within the area,” Danja stated.

The military spokesman noted that the operation was being carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to strengthen security efforts across Katsina State.

“The operation is being conducted in close collaboration with sister services, other security agencies and local stakeholders whose support continues to contribute significantly to ongoing efforts aimed at improving security within the state,” he said.

He reassured residents of Matazu and surrounding communities of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property and preventing terrorists and bandits from operating freely in the region.

Troops displace Lakurawa terrorists

Troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have overpowered suspected Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State, recovering a cache of high-calibre weapons, improvised explosive devices and other equipment during a major offensive operation.

The operation was carried out on Sunday, June 14, 2026, in the Dogon Daji area of Dandi Local Government Area, as part of ongoing military efforts to eliminate terrorist and criminal elements operating across the North-West region.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division Nigerian Army and Sector 2 Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce encounter and forced them to abandon their camp and flee under sustained military pressure.

Osoba said the troops deployed superior firepower against the terrorists, overwhelming them and compelling them to retreat from their positions.

“The gallant troops brought superior firepower to bear on the Lakurawa terrorist group, decisively overwhelming the terrorists and forcing them to flee,” he said.

He explained that troops immediately launched an aggressive pursuit operation along the terrorists’ escape routes, leading to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, explosives, and logistics equipment abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

Items recovered during the operation included rocket-propelled grenade launch tubes, several RPG warheads, multiple improvised explosive devices, two motorcycles used by the terrorists for mobility, battery chargers, and other personal belongings.

“The follow-on aggressive pursuit along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, explosives and logistics equipment abandoned by the fleeing elements,” Osoba stated.

He added that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation.

“The troops emerged from the engagement unscathed, with zero casualties recorded,” he said.