Troops of the Nigerian Army, supported by the Nigerian Air Force, have rescued Mrs Amina Abubakar, the widow of late Major General Rabe Abubakar, weeks after she was abducted alongside her husband by bandits in Katsina State.

The Defence Headquarters said the rescue followed intensified search-and-rescue operations by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, who made contact with the kidnappers at Tunga Village during sustained offensives against criminal elements.

In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the bandits shot Mrs Abubakar before abandoning her and fleeing under pressure from advancing troops.

He said the victim was immediately evacuated to a military hospital, where she is responding to treatment.

The Armed Forces assured that it would provide all necessary support for her recovery while continuing efforts to apprehend those responsible for the abduction and other criminal activities.

Major General Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, died in captivity after he and his wife were kidnapped by bandits.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have intensified operations across Katsina State under Operation Clean Sweep III, launched on June 14 following the killing of the retired general.

The military said troops have carried out intelligence-led raids, fighting patrols and clearance operations across terrorist enclaves in Matazu Local Government Area, destroying several criminal hideouts and logistics bases.

In a related development, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, overpowered suspected Lakurawa terrorists during an offensive in Dogon Daji, Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The military said the terrorists fled after a fierce gun battle, abandoning rocket-propelled grenade launch tubes, RPG warheads, improvised explosive devices, motorcycles and other logistics equipment.

It added that no casualties were recorded among the troops during the operation.