Army Frees Four Kidnap Victims Linked to Late Gen. Rabe Abubakar’s Captivity
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation CLEAN SWEEP III have rescued four kidnapped victims during a renewed offensive against the criminal network of notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani, in Katsina State.
The rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, by troops of the 17 Brigade Strike Group/Quick Response Force, supported by personnel of the 8 Division Special Forces, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit camps across the state.
According to military sources, the operation targeted terrorist hideouts in Fafu Village along the Matazu-Musawa axis. Prior to the ground assault, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, enabling troops to accurately identify the terrorists’ location.
Upon making contact, troops engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon their camp and captives.
A follow-up search of the area led to the successful rescue of four abducted persons.
The victims were immediately 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 BP Koughna.
The commander assured the rescued victims of their safety and reiterated the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security across Katsina State.
Some of the victims, who sustained gunshot wounds inflicted by their abductors while in captivity, received emergency medical treatment before being transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, for further care.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were kidnapped on April 14, 2026, from Sabon Sara along the Matazu-Karaduwa Road. Authorities also disclosed that the victims were held alongside the late Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.) and his wife during their captivity.
The Nigerian Army said troops are continuing operations to track down Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani and other members of his network, vowing to sustain pressure until all those responsible for terrorizing communities are apprehended or neutralised.
The military reaffirmed its commitment, alongside other security agencies, to ensuring that terrorists and bandits have no safe haven anywhere in the country.
