NSA hands over 59 rescued kidnap victims to Kaduna government

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday handed over 59 kidnapped victims to the Kaduna State government.

The victims, mostly women and children, were rescued from various forests along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, specifically in the Rijana area, by joint security forces comprising the military and intelligence agencies. The rescue operation was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The victims were handed over to Governor Uba Sani, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Liman Kila, at a brief ceremony in Abuja.

Giving a breakdown of the rescued persons, Ribadu said the group comprised 28 females, 24 males, and six children, while one person was reportedly hospitalised.

The NSA added that the federal government was working round the clock to ensure the release of other kidnapping victims still in captivity.

“Well, once again we are here as a joint operation of all the security forces under the directives of Mr President to work extra hard to ensure that we bring peace, security, and restore normalcy in our country.

“Yet again today, we have just received those who were rescued from captivity as a result of kidnapping by bandits. They are going back to their homes, we have seen them.

“Thousands and thousands of people have, by the grace of God and the work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regained their freedom and are going back. We believe it is a journey.

“Already, a lot is taking place. We are restoring order, we are bringing justice, we are bringing back peace to our country.

“About 59 or so people today. Last week, another number like that. And thousands and thousands more—it is ongoing across the country. It is also a joint operation of all the security forces under the directives of Mr President.

“I would like to thank all those who are in charge or in the forefront of fighting to keep us safe in our country—the armed forces, the intelligence community, the civil police. All of us are working as one, and we are seeing the results.

“We thank God for this opportunity given to us. We will continue to work, and indeed, it is a matter of time. Nigeria will be peaceful, and we will restore order, definitely,” Ribadu said.

In his address, the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, disclosed that some of the victims had been in captivity for over four months before their rescue.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, described Kaduna State as the most affected by insecurity.

The senior military officer said, “We want to particularly thank the Kaduna State government and the governor of Kaduna. They have been exceptional. They have done extremely well in collaboration and cooperation between the federal government and the states.

“Kaduna State is an example of what can be achieved when the federal and state governments work together. It is probably one of the greatest achievements in the history of the government.

“Kaduna has been the most abused state in terms of insecurity in the last couple of years, but today, it is one of the freest because of the relationship that we have been able to establish between the federal government and the state.”

The governor appreciated the President and the NSA for their efforts in ensuring the safety of the country.