Huge relief reigned high in Abuja yesterday as National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, along with National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) Major General Adamu Garuba Laka and top military chiefs, delivered over 59 rescued kidnap victims comprising 28 women, 24 men, six infants and one hospitalized to the Kaduna state government.
According to the NSA who was visibly upbeat about more forth-coming rescues said that the victims were kidnapped by bandits and terrorists from various parts of Kaduna State, and rescued along Abuja-Kaduna highway where surveillance activities have improved tremendously.
Emphasizing on what he described as highly improved levels of inter-agency synergy, collaboration and coordination under the NCTC in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) against kidnapping, terrorism and violent extremism in the country, Ribadu disclosed that said the victims were rescued by security agencies in a joint operation, after they had spent over four months in kidnappers’ den.
The rescued victims looked dazed but spirited as the NSA told them in Hausa language that President Bola Tinubu was glad about their rescue and reaffirming Federal Government’s readiness to do by rescuing others still in captivity. They all chorused, Nagode, Nagode, Nagode!
They were conveyed to the premises of the ONSA in two white heavily guarded 18-seater Toyota Hiace buses provided by 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna.
The NSA was accompanied at the well-attended event by the NCTC National Coordinator, Minister of Livestock Development, Mallam Idi Mukhtar Maila, former Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI and now Chief of Civil-Military Affairs at the Headquarters Nigerian Army, Major General Gold Chibuisi, Director of Defence Affairs (ONSA), Major General Mala, Director States Liaison (ONSA) Hajiya Lami Chinade, Acting Director Technical Services, NCTC Colonel Uduoye Musa.
He assured gave assurance that government would ensure they were eventually re-united with their families and live their normal lives again.
“We are working extra hard to bring peace, security, and normalcy to our country. Today, we have 59 individuals rescued from kidnappers, and they are returning to their homes,” he said.
The NSA noted that this latest rescue is part of a broader national security initiative that has seen thousands of victims regain their freedom.
He commended the collaborative efforts of the armed forces, intelligence community, police, and other security agencies, expressing optimism about the country’s journey towards lasting peace.
“Kaduna has been one of the most affected states in terms of insecurity, but today, it is becoming one of the safest due to the remarkable cooperation between the state and federal governments,” Ribadu added.
“The army, navy, air force, police, and intelligence agencies are fully committed to actualizing the President’s security mandate. This is just one step, and we believe more successes will follow,” he said.
“We believe it is a journey. Already a lot is taking place. We are restoring order and we are bringing justice. We are bringing back peace to our country with about 59 or so people that are being handed over today. Last week, another number like this was handed over. It is going on through joint operations by all the security forces under the directives of Mr. President”.
He thanked the gallant security forces for the successful rescue operations, and charged them to continue in their efforts to restore peace across the country.
He particularly commended the Kaduna State Government for collaborating with the Federal Government and the security forces for the safe rescue of the victims.
“Kaduna State is an example of what will be the result of working together between the Federal Government and states. It is probably one of the greatest achievements in the history of the government.
“Kaduna was one of 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 were able establish between the Federal Government and the state.
“We want to thank Kaduna State Governor, particularly for his cooperation and indeed even lead in the initiatives that is getting us result”, the NSA said reassuring Nigerians that the operations would continue until peace was fully restored across the country.
In his own remarks, the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka disclosed that the victims were recovered around Rajana general area, adding that they were abandoned by their captives following intensive firepower and pressure from troops.
Major Gen Laka said: “Based on intelligence that we’ve been collecting, the NSA directed us to tie up with 1 Division, Nigerian Army, who is the lead in Kaduna, to conduct operations within the area which we’ve identified to rescue these people.
“Due to the pressure from our security forces, the bandits abandoned them and ran for their lives and we were able to pick most of them from those camps, and the others found their way to the major road and to the police checkpoints.”
According to Laka, many were abandoned by their abductors due to mounting pressure from security forces, while others managed to escape to nearby roads where police officers secured their rescue.
“The handover underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to combating kidnapping and banditry, especially along the notorious Abuja-Kaduna Road”, he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa CDS, Major General Gold Chibuisi who represented the Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Oluyede Olufemi, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs at the Army Headquarters, Major General Gold Chibuisi, thanked the Kaduna State Government for their support.
Major General Chibuisi said that all the security agencies were fully on board with the National Security Adviser, and would continue to work under his coordination to ensure that the mandate given to them in furtherance of the intent of President Bola Tinubu was fully actualized.
The Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Liman Kila, commended the National Security Adviser and security agencies for their efforts in successfully rescuing the kidnap victims.
He said: “This is the second time we are coming here to receive freed captives. The last time was when we received over 40 rescued victims, and you can practically see that we have 58 before you now”.
Governor Sani thanked President Tinubu for ensuring that security as number one priority of his administration has resulted in the current massive crackdown on kidnapping and banditry across the country.
