In a heartening display of coordination and resolve, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, handed over 58 kidnapped victims to the Kaduna State Government on Saturday following their rescue by security forces. The freed captives, who had been held by bandits in the dense forests of Kaduna, were received by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and subsequently transferred to state officials.
General Musa confirmed that no ransom was paid, emphasizing that the rescue operation was a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic tactics—a combination of direct military action and strategic, non-violent methods. “This success is the result of a joint effort involving the military and various agencies. We didn’t rely solely on force,” he noted.
The Defence Chief also highlighted the broader collaboration underpinning the operation, citing cooperation across the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Defence, and the Kaduna State Government. “This was a top-down partnership, with full support from the presidency to local authorities,” Musa added.
Security chiefs emphasized the need for collective action to address the scourge of banditry, with Musa urging, “The success depends on all of us working together, a whole-of-society approach.”
Speaking on challenges facing security efforts, General Musa condemned those undermining government efforts through sabotage but reassured the nation of the security agencies’ commitment. “We’re working tirelessly—day and night, weekends included—to ensure safety. We won’t rest until every Nigerian held in captivity is free and citizens can travel anywhere, anytime, without fear,” he declared.
The Chief of Defence Staff also dispelled the misconception that all bandits were willing participants, explaining that some individuals were forced into these roles. Nevertheless, he pledged continued pursuit of the perpetrators, stating, “We will not let them evade justice for the innocent blood they have shed.”
Among the 58 rescued were 35 men and 23 women, abducted from villages in Katsina State and forced to trek hundreds of kilometers through the unforgiving forest of Birnin Gwari. Major-General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, recounted how a joint operation by the 1 Division on November 14 brought about the rescue. Laka confirmed that the victims received medical care, with six requiring hospital admission, though all were subsequently declared fit to rejoin their families.
Sani Limankila, Chief of Staff to the Kaduna Governor, expressed gratitude to the security forces for their relentless work and appealed to the public to support authorities in the battle against banditry.
As Kaduna celebrates the return of its people, this successful operation underscores the power of unity in confronting Nigeria’s security challenges and the enduring resilience of those who continue to defend the nation’s freedom.
