Nigerian army frees widow of ex-general who died in captivity

Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar and his wife Amina were abducted in north-west Nigeria at the end of last month. Nigerian army frees widow of ex-general who died in captivity Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Amina Abubakar is now being treated in hospital after her rescue Nigerian Military officers surround Mrs Rabe Abubakar who was rescued after weeks in captivity Nigeria's military says it has rescued the widow of a retired general who himself had died at the weekend while being held by kidnappers. Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar and his wife Amina were abducted in the north-western state of Katsina at the end of last month. The military said the kidnappers shot Mrs Abubakar during the rescue operation before fleeing as troops advanced. She is now being treated in a military hospital, a statement added. One of the couple's daughters, Bilkisu, confirmed the rescue on WhatsApp, posting: "We are deeply grateful to Allah for His mercy and protection. Our mummy has been rescued from the hands of evil by the Nigerian Army. "We pray that Allah grants her good health, complete recovery, peace of mind, and strength after everything she has been through." Maj Gen Abubakar's death in custody was thought to have been the result of health complications. In a statement issued on Monday, the military said the mission to rescue his wife "followed intensified search-and-rescue efforts". "During sustained offensive operations and pressure mounted on the criminal elements, troops made contact with the bandits... leading to the successful recovery of Mrs Abubakar," said Samaila Uba, the director of defence information. Uba said the armed forces leadership remained committed to ensuring her full recovery and was providing all necessary support to her family. He added that troops would continue operations and track down the kidnappers. No group has said it was behind the abductions. In north-west Nigeria criminal gangs known locally as "bandits" frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom, as well as cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities. Apart from bandits, militant jihadists have also operated in the region. An alleged militant camp in Sokoto state was the target of a US airstrike on 25 December last year. On 6 June, a video surfaced online showing the retired general and his wife appealing to the Katsina government to release detained bandits and their livestock in exchange for their freedom. On Saturday, the state government announced that the Maj Gen Abubakar had died in captivity. Officials said the retired officer's death was linked to diabetes and high blood pressure. His remains were buried later that day. President Bola Tinubu said he was "shocked" by the general's death and described it as a reminder of the threat posed by armed criminal groups. A woman wearing a mustard-coloured robe, seen from behind, walking through a street in Nukuru with mud-walled buildings on either side. Living in fear of Lakurawa - the militant group Trump targeted in Nigeria strikes Aliyu Abdullahi Isa, a Fulani herder wearing a white knitted hat. Behind him are white cattle grazing 'Peace is a gradual thing': How land, cattle and identity fuel a deadly Nigerian conflict A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Survivors are bringing hope to health workers struggling to control the outbreak. There are glimpses of happiness in the Democratic Republic of Congo's fight against the virus that has killed more than 170. The streets of the capital, Praia, shook with wild celebrations as the small island nation held Spain to a shock 0-0 draw. Maj Gen Rabe Abubakar's death highlights continuing security challenges facing parts of the country. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 21-month old son died in a Lagos hospital, which she says is trying to stop an inquest into the circumstances of his death. Bola Tinubu was addressing the nation on Democracy Day, marking the return to civilian rule in 1999. Nigeria is the latest African state to repatriate citizens following reports of xenophobic attacks. The group includes many women and children who were abducted in March from an area close to Cameroon.