FILES: National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has officially handed over two recently rescued kidnapping victims to their family, while security operatives announced the apprehension of notorious suspects tied to major criminal acts across several states.
On Ribadu’s behalf, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, who serves as the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), presented the rescued victims—Khadijah and Fatimah Shehu Magaji—to their husband, Alhaji Shehu Magaji, during a formal event on Tuesday in Abuja.
Highlighting the rescue’s significance, Laka emphasized the success of non-violent strategies in addressing national security challenges.
He revealed that the women were kidnapped on August 18 in Makarfi, Kaduna State, and held captive in Yadi Forest, located within Giwa Local Government Area.
“While in captivity, Khadijah gave birth to a baby girl, Hafsat, under extremely harsh conditions,” he said.
“For 33 harrowing days, these women endured unimaginable hardship. The kidnappers demanded ₦500 million, later reduced to ₦200 million. Yet, through dialogue and intelligence, we secured their release without ransom.”
According to Laka, the victims were rescued on September 19 and initially handed over to officials from the Kaduna State Government before reuniting with their family.
In a related development, Laka also disclosed that security agencies had recently arrested key suspects believed to be behind multiple violent crimes. Among those apprehended were Ibrahim Mohammed (a.k.a. Alaye) and Adamu Mohammed, both implicated in armed robbery, kidnapping, and a string of killings.
The gang, he noted, was responsible for the murder of a legislator in Gareywa and the killing of a Divisional Police Officer in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Their criminal operations, he added, spanned Delta, Kaduna, Kano, and Nasarawa States.
“This operation is proof that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is delivering results,” Laka stated. “But our greatest weapon remains unity and resilience as a people.”
