Military Offensive Frees Four Kidnap Victims Held With Late General Rabe Abubakar

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued four kidnap victims during ongoing operations targeting a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani, and his criminal network in Katsina State.

The rescue followed a coordinated offensive operation conducted on Tuesday by troops of the 17 Brigade Strike Group and Quick Response Force, supported by troops of the 8 Division Special Forces, under Operation CLEAN SWEEP III.

The troops, aided by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions carried out by the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, raided suspected terrorist hideouts in Fafu Village along the Matazu-Musawa axis of the state.

Military sources said the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee and abandon their camp and captives.

A subsequent search of the camp led to the rescue of four abducted persons who had been held by the bandits.

The victims were evacuated to the Forward Operating Base in Matazu, where they were received by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bamidele Koughna.

Some of the rescued victims, who sustained gunshot wounds while in captivity, received immediate medical attention before being transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, for further treatment.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted on April 14, 2026, along the Matazu-Karaduwa Road in Sabon Sara and were held captive alongside the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd) and his wife.

The military said troops are continuing operations to track down Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani and other members of his network, reaffirming their commitment to denying terrorists and bandits safe havens in the state.