By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Federal Government (FG), Friday handed over 16 rescued victims of abduction to officials of Zamfara State Government, in demonstration of its unwavering commitment to the safety and protection of Nigerians.
Handing over the 16 victims to the Zamfara State officials at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),
the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the FG has continued to record successes in various rescue operations of kidnap victims in the country.
A statement by Head, Strategic Communications, NCTC-ONSA, Micheal Abu, said the victims who were rescued in two batches on 27 June 2024 in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs comprised eight males and eight females.
According to him, they were abducted from Zurmi, Duran and Gusau Metropolis in Zamfara State on 22 April 2024 before they were successfully rescued by a team of security operatives of the NCTC, ONSA.
While presenting them to officials of the state led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Nakwada, the NSA reiterated the resolve of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration to rid the country of kidnapping and other heinous crimes.
He urged all citizens and residents of Nigeria to continue to support the efforts of the security agencies in achieving the government’s vision of securing the country.
Mallam Ribadu assured that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring a safe and resilient society.
According him, the Government is working assiduously with relevant authorities to close-up ungoverned spaces that have continued to provide hiding places for criminal elements in the country.
The National Coordinator of the NCTC, Ma Gen Adamu Garba Laka,
appealed to Nigerians to always report suspicious activities and characters to security operatives to engender proactive response.
Abu recalled that few weeks ago, 22 abducted students and staff of the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, were also successfully rescued by joint efforts of security agencies coordinated by the NCTC under the leadership of Maj Gen Adamu Laka, including a victim from Sokoto State.
The NCTC, he said has set up a Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell for monitoring and tracking of kidnappers and rescue of abductees.
