Kehinde Fajobi
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday, February 18, handed over 59 rescued kidnap victims to the Kaduna State government after a successful joint security operation.
The victims, mostly women and children, were freed from various forests in Kaduna, particularly along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Rijana.
The rescue was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with military and intelligence agencies.
Ribadu, speaking at a brief ceremony in Abuja, said the group comprised 28 females, 24 males, and six children, while one person was hospitalised.
He assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of others 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 to ensure that we bring peace, security and restore normalcy to our country,” Ribadu said.
“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 got grace and the work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have been able to bring peace, security and restore their freedom and they 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 it is ongoing across the country. And 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 result.
“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.”
Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), revealed that some of the rescued victims had been held for over four months before their release.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, commended the Kaduna State government for its collaboration with federal security agencies.
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“Kaduna State is an example of what will be the result of working together within the federal government and states. It is probably one of the greatest achievements in the history of the government,” Chibuisi said.
“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 were able to work and establish between the federal government and the state.”
Governor Uba Sani, represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Liman Kila, received the victims and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the security forces for their efforts in ensuring the country’s safety.