The Katsina State Government says efforts to secure the release of former Director of Defence Information, retired Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, his wife and other kidnapped victims have reached an advanced stage, expressing optimism that they will soon regain their freedom.
The government disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango.
According to the statement, Governor Dikko Radda directed security agencies to prioritise the safe rescue of the retired military officer, his wife and other captives immediately after their abduction along the Matazu axis of the state.
The government said preliminary investigations indicated that the abduction was a deliberate and targeted operation.
“Evidence gathered so far suggests that the veteran military officer and his spouse were specifically monitored and trailed right from Kaduna, their point of departure.
“This targeted nature of the crime underscores a worrying shift in the tactics used by criminal elements operating within the region,” the statement said.
The government noted that the precision of the operation suggested the involvement of organised criminal groups and said the findings were guiding ongoing rescue efforts.
It described the abduction of the retired general, his wife and other victims as an affront to the state, adding that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“We are dealing with a targeted operation, which changes the dynamics of our response.
“The state is working around the clock, utilising both technology and ground intelligence to close in on the abductors. Our primary goal remains the safe return of the General, his wife and others in similar situations,” the statement added.
The government appealed to residents to provide any information regarding suspicious movements or activities that may have preceded the incident, saying such details could assist security agencies in dismantling the network behind the abduction.
It also said collaboration had been intensified with the Nigerian Army, the police and other intelligence agencies to ensure a breakthrough without compromising the safety of the victims.
According to the statement, security forces have maintained surveillance and operational presence in the area where the incident occurred, while the state is exploring all necessary channels to facilitate the victims’ release.
“The Katsina State Government remains resolute in its stance against banditry and is working tirelessly to ensure that the General, his wife and others in similar situations are reunited with their families.
“We are confident that the ongoing high-level operations will yield a positive result very shortly,” the statement said.
Online earlier reported that the abductors had demanded the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for the couple’s freedom.
The demands were conveyed in a four-minute video released by the kidnappers.
In the footage, the wife of the former defence spokesman, who spoke in Hausa, appealed to the Katsina State Government, traditional rulers and community leaders across five local government areas to intervene and facilitate release of the detained bandits identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru.
The couple was reportedly travelling with their driver along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area when armed men ambushed their vehicle near Zakin Baure village and whisked them into a nearby forest.
Their driver reportedly escaped despite sustaining gunshot injuries during the attack, while security operatives later recovered the victims’ vehicle, a red Peugeot 504, and moved it to the Matazu Divisional Police Headquarters.
The government, however, urged the family of the retired military officer and members of the public to remain calm, assuring them that every available resource was being deployed to secure the release of the captives.