The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, announced on Monday that the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has successfully rescued over 1,000 kidnap victims without paying any ransom.
Ribadu made this revelation while receiving 22 students and staff of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, who were rescued on Sunday after being abducted by bandits on September 22, 2023.
The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Mummuni, joined in sympathizing with the families and the university authorities over the incident, urging security agencies to expedite efforts to rescue the remaining kidnapped students.
Assuring continued efforts, the Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, stated that additional tactical teams have been deployed for search-and-rescue operations.
Describing the abduction incident, the police highlighted the bandits’ armed invasion of students’ rented apartments, resulting in the kidnapping of an unspecified number of students.
Ribadu expressed gratitude to the security operatives for rescuing the students without any casualties or ransom payments. He emphasized the government’s commitment to freeing unlawfully held captives, ensuring their privacy and safety.
The NSA emphasized the importance of resilience, urging the rescued students and university workers to remain strong in the face of adversity.
Highlighting another successful rescue operation in March, Ribadu praised the military for rescuing 137 students kidnapped from Kaduna State without ransom payments.
He thanked the parents for their patience and understanding during the ordeal and commended security agencies for their sacrifices.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj-Gen Adamu Laka (retd.), detailed the search and rescue operations, which led to the release of the students in three batches.
Laka assured that the rescued victims received medical attention, with minor treatments administered, and confirmed that none of the females were molested during captivity. He also assured that all females tested negative for pregnancy.