The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has officially handed over 128 victims of abduction rescued from bandits’ hideouts in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State to the state government for reintegration with their families.
The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday in Abuja and was presided over by the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, who represented the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.
Maj. Gen. Laka explained that the victims regained their freedom following well-coordinated security operations conducted earlier in August, which were executed in two phases.
- The first operation, carried out on August 14, led to the rescue of 42 persons, including 14 men, 27 women, and a toddler.
- The second operation, conducted on August 19, secured the release of 88 persons, comprising 34 men and 54 women.
Sadly, Laka disclosed that during the second rescue phase, one child lost his life due to illness, most likely as a result of the trauma and fatigue suffered during the period of captivity. In addition, one of the rescued women gave birth prematurely shortly after their release, and both mother and infant are currently receiving medical attention.
Since their rescue, the victims have been under the care and supervision of the ONSA. According to Laka, they were provided with comprehensive medical treatment, trauma counseling, and rehabilitation support to help them recover from the psychological and physical effects of their ordeal.
“With their initial recovery process well underway, we are now transferring them to the Zamfara State Government to facilitate their reintegration with their families and communities,” he stated.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, while receiving the victims, commended the security forces for their courage and professionalism in carrying out the operation. He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to intensifying counter-terrorism operations across the country, dismantling criminal enclaves, and restoring peace, particularly in the North-West region, which has been plagued by banditry.
Ribadu further urged the Zamfara State Government, local authorities, and community leaders to provide sustained support to the freed victims, emphasizing that reintegration into society is critical to their long-term recovery and stability.
The handover of the victims marks another significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against banditry and insurgency, showcasing the collaboration between federal security agencies and state governments in addressing the country’s complex security challenges.
