Ribadu hands over 58 kidnap victims to Kaduna government

Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), has handed over 58 kidnapped victims to the Kaduna state government.

Speaking at the handover ceremony on Tuesday, Ribadu said the victims were rescued in a joint operation led by the Nigerian Army in Kaduna state, with support from other security agencies.

He said the rescued victims, comprising 28 female adults, 24 male adults, and six children, were freed from various locations within Kaduna state.

Ribadu said that the rescue efforts were aimed at restoring peace, security, and normalcy across the country.

“Today, we have just received those who were rescued from captivity as a result of kidnapping by bandits,” he said.

“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.”

He praised the state government for its cooperation with the federal government and security agencies in combating insecurity.

“I would like to thank all those in charge of ensuring our safety, including the armed forces, intelligence community, and civil police,” Ribadu added.

“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.”

Gold Chibuisi, chief of civil-military affairs, praised the cooperation among intelligence and security agencies in maintaining peace and security nationwide.

Sani Kila, chief of staff to Uba Sani, Kaduna state governor, thanked the NSA for ensuring the return of kidnapped victims to their families.

“We must commend the effort of Mr. President in ensuring security is a top priority in the country,” Kila said.

“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.”

Adamu Laka, national coordinator of the national counter-terrorism centre (NCTC), noted that 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.

“These captives were rescued based on intelligence we gathered,” Laka said.

“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.”