Author: Gist Correspondent

Mrs Amina Abubakar, wife of the late former Director of Defence Information, retired Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar, was shot by bandits while being rescued from captivity, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, the DHQ Director of Defence Information, said in an Abuja statement that troops engaged the kidnappers during a rescue operation, prompting the bandits to abandon Mrs Abubakar and flee. She was immediately evacuated and is receiving medical care at a military hospital.

“Mrs Abubakar is responding to treatment,” Maj.-Gen. Uba said.

The rescue was carried out by the Nigerian Army with support from the Nigerian Air Force as part of intensified search-and-rescue efforts under Operation Fansan Yamma. Troops made contact with the kidnappers at Tunga village, leading to her recovery after sustained offensive pressure on the criminal elements.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria said it remains committed to Mrs Abubakar’s full recovery and is providing support to her family. Troops will continue operations to locate and neutralise those responsible, and efforts are being stepped up to clear affected communities of terrorists and other criminal elements across Katsina State and nationwide.

Mrs Abubakar and her husband were abducted several weeks ago. The DHQ confirmed on June 13 that Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar (rtd.) died while in captivity despite security efforts to secure his release.