This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Katsina State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, who said Governor Dikko Radda has directed all relevant security agencies to give priority attention to the rescue mission.
According to the state government, preliminary findings suggest that the kidnapping was a carefully planned operation carried out by organised criminal elements rather than a random attack.
Investigations by security agencies reportedly revealed that the retired military officer and his wife were placed under surveillance and followed from Kaduna, where they began their journey, before they were eventually intercepted and abducted.
The government noted that the level of coordination involved in the incident points to an evolving pattern in the operations of criminal groups within the region.
“The targeted nature of this crime has provided critical intelligence that is shaping our response strategy,” the statement said.
Authorities stated that security agencies are combining intelligence gathering with technological resources to track the abductors and ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
“We are dealing with a targeted operation, which changes the dynamics of our response,” the statement quoted government officials as saying.
“The state is working around the clock, utilising both technology and ground intelligence to close in on the abductors. Our primary goal remains the safe return of the General, his wife, and others in similar situations.”
The government described the abduction as an attack not only on the retired general and his family but also on citizens who have dedicated their lives to serving the country.
It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that those behind the crime are apprehended and prosecuted, while efforts continue to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for such acts.
As part of the rescue operation, the state government said it has strengthened coordination with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and other intelligence and security agencies, while maintaining heightened surveillance and operational activities within the affected area.
The government also appealed to members of the public to volunteer useful information regarding suspicious movements or activities that may be connected to the abduction, noting that such intelligence could play a significant role in identifying those responsible.
Reaffirming its resolve to tackle insecurity across the state, the government assured residents that every available resource is being deployed to secure the release of the victims.
It further urged the family of Major General Abubakar and the general public to remain calm, assuring them that ongoing high-level security operations are being pursued with determination and optimism.