Kidnapping: FG working seriously to secure ungoverned spaces — NSA

•Hands over 16 rescued Zamfara kidnap victims

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the Federal Government was working assiduously with relevant authorities to close-up ungoverned spaces that have continued to provide hiding places for criminal elements in the country.

Ribadu stated this when he officially handed over 16 abductees to officials of Zamfara State government, following the rescue from terrorists by security agencies.

Abu Michael Head, Strategic Communications NCTC-ONSA, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said:  “In demonstration of its unwavering commitment towards the safety and protection of Nigerians, the federal government has continued to record successes in various rescue operations of kidnap victims in the country, with the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu handing over 16 abductees to official of Zamfara state at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.

“The victims who were rescued in two batches on June 27, 2024, in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs comprised eight males and eight females.“

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-led Government 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.

“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.”

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, after presenting the rescued victims to the NSA for their official handover, appealed to Nigerians to always and timely report suspicious activities and characters to security operatives to engender proactive response.

Recall that a 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 Major General Adamu Laka, including a victim from Sokoto State.

The Zamfara State SSG was accompanied by the State Commissioner for Project Implementation, Zurumi Nasiru, and Alhaji Ibrahim Isah, to receive the rescued abductees in Abuja.

Also at the event was the Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Buba.

Meanwhile, the NCTC has set up a multi-agency anti-kidnap fusion cell for monitoring and tracking of kidnappers and rescue of abductees.