DHQ Launches Rescue Effort For Former Defence Spokesman And His Wife

According to Ireporter Online, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has ordered the immediate deployment of intelligence assets following the abduction of a former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (retd.), alongside his wife in Katsina State.

The retired senior military officer and his wife were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday by suspected terrorists in Matazu Local Government Area of the state.

A senior military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that troops were intensifying efforts to secure their safe release, stressing that all necessary measures were being taken.

“We are working round the clock to rescue him,” the officer said.

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, has visited the scene of the incident and directed the deployment of additional personnel and operational assets to strengthen ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

Security authorities confirmed that efforts were being scaled up to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed while the perpetrators are tracked down and arrested.

In a separate statement, the Katsina State Police Command confirmed that the attack occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on May 30, 2026, along the Karaduwa–Matazu Road.

According to the statement signed by DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, suspected armed bandits opened fire on a red Peugeot 406, injuring the driver, identified as Abdullahi Sa’id, in the right arm, before abducting two occupants.

The statement added that Abdullahi Batsari and Amina Abdullahi were taken away before security operatives arrived at the scene, while the injured driver was evacuated for medical attention.

Reports further indicated that the retired general was travelling with his wife from Abuja ahead of the Eid al-Kabir celebration when they were intercepted by armed men along the Katsina–Matazu corridor and whisked away to an unknown location.

The police noted that swift response efforts were underway to secure the safe return of all abducted victims.