Bandits Shot Gen. Rabe’s Wife Before Rescue — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that Amina Abubakar, wife of the late former Director of Defence Information, retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, was shot by bandits before she was rescued from captivity.

The disclosure was made by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

According to Uba, Mrs Abubakar was rescued during intensified search-and-rescue operations carried out by troops of the Nigerian Army, with support from the Nigerian Air Force, under Operation Fansan Yamma.

He said the bandits opened fire on Abubakar during an encounter with advancing troops, forcing them to abandon her and flee due to the pressure from the military operation.

“Mrs Abubakar was shot before her rescue and is currently receiving medical attention at a military hospital,” Uba said.

He added that she was responding to treatment and remained under medical care following the injuries sustained during the encounter.

The Defence Headquarters said the rescue operation followed sustained offensive actions and pressure mounted on the criminal elements by troops operating in the area.

Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife were abducted on May 30, 2026, along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The former military spokesman later died while in captivity, with conflicting accounts emerging over the cause of his death.

While the Katsina State Government attributed his death to complications from diabetes and hypertension, members of his family insisted that he died after suffering a snake bite while being held by the abductors.

The rescue of his wife marks a major development in the military’s ongoing efforts to free victims of kidnapping and dismantle criminal networks operating in parts of the country.

The DHQ assured that troops would continue offensive operations against bandits and other criminal groups threatening lives and property across Nigeria.