The Katsina State Government has intensified efforts to secure the release of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (Rtd), his wife, and other victims currently being held by kidnappers, expressing confidence that ongoing security operations will soon produce positive results.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, said Governor Dikko Radda has directed all relevant security agencies to prioritise the safe rescue of the retired military officer, his spouse, and other abductees.
According to the government, preliminary investigations suggest that the kidnapping was not a random act but a carefully planned operation executed by an organised criminal network.
Security findings indicate that Major General Abubakar and his wife were allegedly monitored and trailed from Kaduna, where they commenced their journey, before being intercepted and abducted.
The state government noted that the sophistication of the operation reflects an evolving and more dangerous pattern in the tactics employed by criminal groups operating in the region.
“The targeted nature of this crime has provided critical intelligence that is shaping our response strategy,” the statement said.
Authorities revealed that security agencies are deploying a combination of advanced technological tools and ground intelligence to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of all victims.
“We are dealing with a targeted operation, which changes the dynamics of our response,” government officials stated.
“The state is working around the clock, utilising both technology and human intelligence to close in on the abductors. Our primary objective remains the safe rescue of the General, his wife, and others facing similar circumstances.”
The Katsina State Government described the abduction as an attack not only on the retired military officer and his family but also on the values of service and sacrifice represented by citizens who have dedicated their lives to the nation.
It reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and dismantling the criminal networks responsible for such acts.
As part of the rescue mission, the state has strengthened collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and other intelligence and security agencies, while maintaining intensive surveillance and operational activities across the affected area.
The government also appealed to residents to volunteer any information regarding suspicious movements or activities that may have preceded the incident, stressing that public cooperation could prove crucial in exposing the criminal network behind the kidnapping.
Reiterating its resolve to tackle insecurity, the state government assured citizens that every available resource is being deployed to secure the freedom of the abductees.
It further urged the family of Major General Abubakar and members of the public to remain calm and hopeful, expressing optimism that the ongoing high-level security operations will soon lead to a breakthrough.
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