Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued the wife of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar following a gun battle with suspected bandits in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The rescue operation was carried out under Operation CLEAN SWEEP III after security forces launched intelligence-driven offensives in Matazu and surrounding communities in response to the abduction of the retired military officer’s family.
According to military sources, troops engaged the armed group during a search-and-rescue mission at Tunga village, forcing the bandits to flee under sustained military pressure.
A source involved in the operation disclosed that the victim, identified as Mrs. Abubakar, sustained a gunshot injury during the encounter but was successfully recovered by troops.
“The bandits shot her and fled when we made contact at Tunga village. We have rescued Mrs. Abubakar.
She is bleeding, we have given her first aid and are moving her for urgent medical attention,” the source said.
Military personnel reportedly administered immediate first aid at the scene before evacuating her to a medical facility for further treatment.
Security sources indicated that troops have intensified follow-up operations across the area, maintaining pressure on fleeing bandits and suspected criminal leaders believed to be connected to the attack and earlier abduction.
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The ongoing operation is part of a broader military campaign aimed at dismantling bandit camps and disrupting criminal activities across affected communities in Katsina State and the wider North-West region.
Military authorities said Operation CLEAN SWEEP III would continue until all identified criminal hideouts within the operational area are cleared and neutralised.
They also reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to pursuing those responsible for the attack and ensuring they are brought to justice.
The rescue comes amid intensified military operations against banditry and kidnapping across parts of the North-West, where security forces have continued to target armed groups responsible for attacks on communities, abductions and other violent crimes.
The development was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama and subsequently shared by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, via his X account on Monday.