The Katsina State Government has ramped up comprehensive security operations to secure the release of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (Rtd), his wife, and other kidnap victims, expressing confidence that these efforts will yield positive results soon.
In a statement on Saturday, Katsina State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, revealed that Governor Dikko Radda has ordered security agencies to prioritise the safe rescue of Abubakar, his wife, and all other abductees. Preliminary investigations, he said, indicate the abduction was a targeted operation, orchestrated by organised criminal elements rather than a random attack. Evidence shows that the retired general and his wife were monitored and followed from Kaduna before being intercepted and abducted.
The government noted that the sophistication of the crime marks a concerning evolution in the tactics of criminal groups in the region. “The targeted nature of this crime has provided critical intelligence that is shaping our response strategy,” the statement read.
Security agencies are deploying both advanced technology and on-the-ground intelligence to locate the perpetrators and secure the victims’ safe return. “We are dealing with a targeted operation, which changes the dynamics of our response. The state is working around the clock, utilising all available resources to close in on the abductors. Our primary goal remains the safe return of the General, his wife, and others in similar situations,” the government stated.
Describing the attack as an affront not only to the retired officer and his family but to all who have served the nation, the government reaffirmed its resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice and dismantle the criminal networks behind such acts. To this end, Katsina State has bolstered collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Police, and other intelligence and security agencies, maintaining a strong operational presence in the affected area.
The government also called on the public to report any suspicious activity or information that could aid the investigation, stressing that such intelligence could be vital in dismantling the criminal network responsible.
Reiterating its commitment to combating insecurity, the Katsina State Government assured residents that every resource is being deployed to ensure the safe release of all abductees. It urged the family of Major General Abubakar and the public to remain calm and hopeful, expressing confidence that the ongoing high-level operations would soon achieve a breakthrough.
