The Federal Government on Tuesday presented 128 men, women, and children rescued from bandits in Zamfara State, with National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, vowing that those terrorising Nigerians would be relentlessly hunted.
“Let me be unequivocally clear: there will be no respite for those who hold our citizens hostage,” Ribadu declared in Abuja, praising security forces for their coordinated operations. He warned against politicising national security, urging Nigerians to support intelligence efforts with timely information.
According to the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, 42 captives were freed on August 14 and another 88 on August 19. Sadly, one child died from illness after release, while a rescued woman gave birth prematurely. Officials said the victims have since received medical treatment, trauma care, and counselling, and were handed over to the Zamfara State Government for reintegration.
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Tanko Sununu, commended the rescue effort, urging the freed victims to embrace education and rebuild their lives.
One of the victims, Abdullahi Salisu, recounted his ordeal: “I was in captivity for 42 days, mostly in hunger. The experience was terrible. We thank God and our security operatives for coming to our rescue.”
