The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has intensified efforts to rescue Rabe Abubakar, former director of defence information and his wife following their abduction by suspected bandits in Katsina state.
A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said intelligence assets had been deployed and troops were working around the clock to secure the release of the retired general and his wife.
“We are working round the clock to rescue him,” the officer said.
The retired army officer and his wife were reportedly abducted on Saturday along the Katsina–Matazu Road while travelling from Abuja to Katsina State for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
According to security sources, armed men intercepted their vehicle in Matazu Local Government Area and whisked the couple away to an unknown destination after opening fire on the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Abdullahi Sa’id, sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm but survived the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Katsina State Police Command said armed bandits attacked a red Peugeot 406 saloon car along the Karaduwa-Matazu Road.
DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, police spokesperson said officers from the Matazu Division and the Victims and Crime Response Unit swiftly responded to the scene, secured the area and evacuated the injured driver for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Ali Umar Fage, the commissioner of police in Katsina state has visited the scene of the attack and ordered the deployment of additional personnel and operational assets to support ongoing search-and-rescue efforts.
Major general Abubakar, who served as military spokesman during his career, played a key role in defence communication and public information management within the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The abduction has again highlighted persistent security challenges in parts of the country despite ongoing military operations against bandit and terrorist groups.
