The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has disclosed that the Federal Government is working diligently with relevant authorities to close ungoverned spaces that serve as hideouts for criminal elements. Ribadu made this statement while officially handing over 16 abductees to officials of the Zamfara State Government. The victims were rescued from terrorists by security agencies.
A statement signed by Abu Michael, Head of Strategic Communications at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), revealed this on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement reads: “In a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to the safety and protection of Nigerians, the Federal Government has continued to achieve success in various rescue operations of kidnap victims. National Security
Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu handed over 16 abductees to an official of Zamfara State at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).”
The victims, comprising eight males and eight females, were rescued in two batches on June 27, 2024, in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs. They were abducted from Zurmi, Duran, and Gusau Metropolis in Zamfara State on April 22, 2024, before being successfully rescued by a team of security operatives from the NCTC and ONSA.
Presenting the victims to officials of Zamfara State, led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Nakwada, the NSA reiterated the resolve of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Government to eradicate kidnapping and other heinous crimes. He urged all citizens and residents to support the efforts of security agencies in achieving the government’s vision of a secure nation. Mallam Ribadu assured that every effort would be made to ensure a safe and resilient society.
“The Government is working diligently with relevant authorities to close ungoverned spaces that provide hiding places for criminal elements,” Ribadu stated.
The National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, emphasized the importance of timely reporting of suspicious activities and characters to security operatives to enable proactive responses. He made this appeal while presenting the rescued victims to the NSA for their official handover.
A few weeks ago, 22 abducted students and staff of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, were also successfully rescued through the joint efforts of security agencies coordinated by the NCTC under Major General Adamu Laka, including a victim from Sokoto State.
The Zamfara State SSG was accompanied by the State Commissioner for Project Implementation, Hon. Zurumi Nasiru, and Alhaji Ibrahim Isah to receive the rescued abductees in Abuja. Also present was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Distinguished Senator Shehu Buba.
Meanwhile, the NCTC has established a Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell to monitor and track kidnappers and rescue abductees.
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