Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), has handed over two kidnapped victims rescued in Kaduna to their family.
NAN reports that Adamu Laka, national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), handed over the victims, Khadijah and Fatimah Shehu Magaji, to Shehu Magaji, their husband, on Tuesday on behalf of the NSA.
Laka said the two women were abducted on August 18 in Makarfi, Kaduna, and were held in Yadi Forest, Giwa LGA of the state.
He said their successful rescue underscored the effectiveness of non-kinetic strategies in tackling insecurity.
“While in captivity, Khadijah gave birth to a baby girl, Hafsat, under extremely harsh conditions,” Laka said.
“For 33 harrowing days, these women endured unimaginable hardship.
“The kidnappers demanded N500 million, later reduced to N200 million. Yet, through dialogue and intelligence, we secured their release without ransom.
“The victims were rescued on September 19 and formally handed over to representatives of the Kaduna state government for onwards reunification with their family.”
Laka added that security agencies have arrested some suspects, including Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Alaye, and Adamu Mohammed, linked to armed robbery, kidnappings, and multiple killings.
He said the gang was behind the killing of a lawmaker in Gareywa and the murder of a divisional police officer in Gwagwalada, Abuja, with their criminal network extending across Delta, Kaduna, Kano and Nasarawa states.
“This operation is proof that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is delivering results. But our greatest weapon remains unity and resilience as a people,” he said.
