Nigerian army rescues widow of retired general after Katsina kidnapping

Nigeria's military says it has rescued Amina Abubakar, the widow of a retired general who died in captivity after the couple were abducted in Katsina state. The army said Mrs Abubakar was recovered during a rescue operation in the north-western state after being held by kidnappers since the end of last month. It said she was shot during the operation before the abductors fled as troops advanced.

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The military said Mrs Abubakar is now being treated in a military hospital. In a statement, the director of defence information, Samaila Uba, said the rescue followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts. He said troops made contact with the armed group during sustained offensive operations and pressure on the criminal elements, leading to her recovery.

The armed forces leadership said it remained committed to her full recovery and was providing support to her family. The rescue comes days after the death in captivity of her husband, Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar. Officials said he died at the weekend while being held by kidnappers, and his death was thought to have been linked to health complications.

The state government later announced that he had died in captivity, and his remains were buried later that day. One of the couple's daughters, Bilkisu, confirmed the rescue and thanked God for her mother's safety. The case highlights the continuing threat of kidnapping in north-west Nigeria, where criminal gangs known locally as bandits frequently abduct people for ransom and also carry out cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities.

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The region has also seen activity by militant jihadists, adding to the security pressure on civilians and the armed forces. The military said it would continue operations to track down the kidnappers, underlining the ongoing nature of the security challenge. The incident has drawn attention because it involves a former senior military officer and his family, as well as the wider problem of abductions in Katsina and neighbouring states.

On 6 June, a video surfaced online showing the retired general and his wife appealing to the Katsina government to release detained bandits and their livestock in exchange for their freedom. That appeal, followed by the general's death and now his wife's rescue, has made the case a prominent example of the risks faced by hostages in the region. What remains unclear is which group carried out the abduction and whether any arrests have been made.

The military has not named the kidnappers, and no group has said it was behind the attack. The next developments to watch are Mrs Abubakar's medical recovery, any further military operations in Katsina, and whether officials provide more detail on the circumstances of the kidnapping and rescue.

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