In the ongoing fight against kidnapping, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, announced on Monday that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, has successfully rescued over 1,000 kidnap victims without yielding to ransom demands.
This revelation came as Ribadu received 22 students and staff members from the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, who were rescued from captivity on Sunday.
These individuals had been abducted during a raid by bandits on September 22, 2023, where over 30 students and staff were taken.
Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Mummuni, joined the university community in urging security agencies to expedite the rescue efforts for the remaining kidnapped students.
Assuring swift action, the Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, stated that additional tactical teams have been deployed for search and rescue operations.
The successful rescue operation was coordinated by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, resulting in the liberation of 22 individuals, including 15 students and seven university workers.
Expressing gratitude for the safe return of the victims, Ribadu commended the security personnel involved for their dedication and emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens.
He highlighted that over a thousand victims have been freed without public attention, emphasising the importance of privacy and safety in such operations.
Ribadu encouraged the rescued students and staff to remain resilient in the face of adversity and assured ongoing efforts to prevent future abductions through strengthened security measures.
Previously, in March, the military successfully rescued 137 students kidnapped from Kaduna State without paying any ransom, despite demands from the bandits.
The National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj-Gen Adamu Laka (retd.), provided details of the rescue operation, stating that the abducted individuals were released in three separate batches after 207 days in captivity.
He reassured that all individuals underwent medical examination and treatment as necessary, with no reports of molestation among the female captives.
Ribadu extended appreciation to the parents of the rescued victims for their patience and cooperation, while commending the sacrifices made by security agencies in safeguarding the nation.
