Katsina State Government says it has intensified multi-dimensional security operations to secure the release of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (Rtd), his wife, and other persons abducted alongside them, expressing optimism that ongoing efforts will yield positive results.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, said Governor Dikko Radda has directed security agencies to prioritise the safe rescue of the victims.
The government said preliminary findings indicate that the abduction was a coordinated and targeted operation carried out by organised criminal elements, rather than a random attack.
It added that available intelligence suggests the retired general and his wife were monitored and trailed from Kaduna, before being intercepted and abducted.
According to the statement, the nature of the operation reflects a worrying shift in tactics by criminal groups operating within the region.
“The targeted nature of this crime has provided critical intelligence that is shaping our response strategy,” the statement noted.
Authorities said security agencies are currently combining technological tools with ground intelligence to track the perpetrators and secure the release of the victims.
“We are dealing with a targeted operation, which changes the dynamics of our response. The state is working around the clock, utilising both technology and ground intelligence to close in on the abductors,” officials said.
The government described the incident as an attack not only on the victims but also on citizens who have served the nation in various capacities.
It reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and dismantling criminal networks behind such abductions.
As part of ongoing efforts, the state government said it is working closely with the Nigerian Army, Police, and other security and intelligence agencies, while maintaining surveillance in affected areas.
Residents were also urged to provide credible information that could assist investigations, as authorities intensified efforts to secure the victims’ safe return.
The government further assured families of the abducted victims and the public that all necessary resources are being deployed, expressing confidence that the ongoing operations would yield a breakthrough.
