Abuja: The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has once again handed over 60 kidnapped victims, who were rescued by security agencies, to their families while issuing a stern warning against the payment of ransom to kidnappers. Ribadu emphasized that paying ransom would only embolden the criminals to continue their activities and described it as counterproductive.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ribadu highlighted that despite ransom payments made by families of several rescued victims, kidnappers often remained unwilling to release their captives. “Once again, we are here to do what we have done a couple of times already, that is, to hand over rescued victims of kidnap and banditry to their families,” Ribadu stated. He added that many victims had been held for months, but expressed gratitude for their eventual release.
Ribadu noted that the release marked the liberation of 60 individuals, hoping it would be the last from that region of Nigeria. He acknowledged the efforts of the armed forces and security agencies, and praised the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who is committed to restoring order and security. “Daily, we are getting freedom back to our own people. We will continue to do so. We will not relent and we will not stop,” Ribadu asserted.
He assured that military and security agencies would continue to pursue the criminals, emphasizing that the release of victims was not the end of the story. Ribadu urged the public to refrain from paying ransom, as it often does not lead to the release of captives. “It is understandable that when your person is in captivity, you will do whatever it takes for you to get him back. But this is counterproductive,” he cautioned.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), revealed that the 60 victims were rescued on Monday by the 1 Division Nigerian Army troops, with support from other security and intelligence agencies. The rescue operation took place in Lere, Zangon Katar, and Kagarko Local Government Areas of Kaduna State and FCT Abuja.
Laka detailed that the victims comprised 35 males and 25 females, including a Deputy Director from the National Assembly Commission, Adesanya Michael, who was kidnapped from Kubwa, FCT, and Ishaya Kuka, a brother to Bishop Mathew Kukah. The victims were abducted from their homes and farms in the aforementioned locations.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the kidnappings were carried out by suspected armed bandits under the command of notorious bandit leaders known as YELLOW ONE MILLION, YELLOW MAIDUNA, SHEHU REKEB, and FARIN YELLOW.