Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, presided over the formal handover of 128 individuals rescued from kidnappers to the Zamfara State Government on Tuesday. The emotional ceremony marks a crucial step in reuniting the victims with their families and communities after their ordeal.
The rescued individuals, who had been held captive in terrorist enclaves in Zamfara State, include men, women, and children of various ages. Their freedom was secured through two separate, successful military operations conducted by Nigerian security forces in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
During the handover ceremony, a somber note was introduced by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Major General Adamu Laka. He provided a heartbreaking update on the human cost of captivity, revealing that one of the rescued children had tragically succumbed to an illness shortly after liberation.
In a testament to the extreme conditions endured by the victims, General Laka also reported that a premature baby was delivered by one of the rescued women during the operation. The newborn is currently receiving critical medical care and is being incubated in a specialized healthcare facility to ensure its survival.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in his address, emphasized the government’s commitment to the holistic recovery of the victims. He announced that the former captives would receive necessary medical attention, including psychological counseling and trauma therapy, to help them overcome the severe mental and emotional distress caused by their kidnapping. Furthermore, they will be supported to reintegrate smoothly and safely back into their home communities.
The NSA took the opportunity to commend the courage and professionalism of the security forces involved in the daring rescue operations. He issued a stern warning to the perpetrators of these crimes, assuring the nation that there would be no respite for them.
“Let us take politics out of our security challenges,” Ribadu stated, calling for a unified national front against insecurity. He vowed that the full force of the law would be brought to bear, affirming that the perpetrators would be “hunted and brought to justice.”
This handover is seen as a tangible result of the federal government to combat terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping across the country, particularly in the northwest region.