Nigeria’s military has rescued the wife of a retired army general who died while being held by kidnappers, bringing a dramatic twist to a kidnapping ordeal that has gripped the country.
Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar and his wife, Amina Abubakar, were abducted from their home in Katsina State in north-western Nigeria at the end of May.
The retired officer died while still in captivity, but military authorities announced on Monday that his wife had been successfully rescued during an operation targeting the kidnappers.
According to the Nigerian military, troops intensified search-and-rescue efforts following the general’s death and eventually tracked down the armed group holding Mrs Abubakar.
Military spokesperson Samaila Uba said the kidnappers opened fire during the operation and shot Mrs Abubakar before fleeing as security forces closed in.
“During sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements, troops made contact with the bandits, leading to the successful recovery of Mrs Abubakar,” Uba said.
Mrs Abubakar was taken to a military medical facility where she is receiving treatment for her injuries.
Her daughter, Bilkisu Abubakar, confirmed the rescue in a message shared on WhatsApp.
“We are deeply grateful to Allah for His mercy and protection. Our mummy has been rescued from the hands of evil by the Nigerian Army,” she wrote.
“We pray that Allah grants her good health, complete recovery, peace of mind, and strength after everything she has been through.”
The rescue came just days after the Katsina State Government announced the death of Maj Gen Abubakar while in captivity.
Officials said the retired officer, who reportedly suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure, died due to health complications while being held by his captors.
He was buried on Saturday.
The kidnapping attracted national attention after a video emerged online on June 6 showing the retired general and his wife pleading for help.
In the footage, the couple appealed to the Katsina State Government to release detained bandits and seized livestock in exchange for their freedom.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.
However, north-western Nigeria has experienced a surge in kidnappings carried out by heavily armed criminal gangs known locally as bandits. The groups routinely abduct people for ransom and have terrorised rural communities through cattle rustling, attacks and extortion.
The region has also witnessed activity by jihadist groups operating alongside criminal networks.
Following the retired general’s death, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he was shocked by the tragedy and described it as a stark reminder of the continuing threat posed by armed criminal groups across the country.
The military says operations are continuing to track down those responsible for the kidnapping and bring them to justice.
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