The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has handed over 58 kidnapped victims to the Kaduna state government. Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, Ribadu said the victims were rescued in a joint operation led by the Nigerian Army in Kaduna state, in collaboration with other security agencies. According to him, the rescued victims, comprised 28 female adults, 24 male adults, and six children, freed from various locations within Kaduna state.
The NSA added that the rescue efforts were aimed at restoring peace, security, and normalcy across the country.
Ribadu said, “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. It has been the case. Thousands of people have benefited, and President Bola Tinubu’s efforts have helped bring peace, security, and restore their freedom.
Ribadu commended the Kaduna state government for cooperating with the federal government and security agencies in tackling insecurity.
“I would like to thank all those in charge of ensuring our safety, including the armed forces, intelligence community, and civil police.
“We are working as one, and we are seeing the result. It is a matter of time, Nigeria will be peaceful, and we will restore order, definitely”, Ribadu said.
In his remarks, Sani Kila, Chief of Staff to the Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, thanked the NSA for ensuring the return of the kidnapped victims to their families.
Kila said, “We must commend the effort of Mr. President in ensuring security is a top priority in the country.
“I also commend Governor Uba Sani for following in the footsteps of Mr. President, working tirelessly to ensure the peace and safety of Kaduna’s citizens.”
The National coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, said some of the victims were held captive for over four months.
He said the captives were rescued from different locations along the Abuja-Kaduna Way, particularly in the Rijana general area.
Luka said, “These captives were rescued based on intelligence we gathered.
“The NSA directed us to work with the 1 Division Nigerian Army, who led the operations in Kaduna to rescue these people.
“Some of them had been held captive for up to four months, and we continue to make progress in our operations.”
