National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday formally handed over 19 recently rescued kidnap victims to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in Abuja.
The handover took place at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), located within the Office of the National Security Adviser, where Ribadu praised the efforts of the nation’s security forces in securing the victims’ release.
Among those freed were notable figures including retired Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Ambassador Gideon Yohanna. Tsiga had spent nearly two months in captivity. The remaining victims included 17 others, one of whom was a child.
Ribadu, expressing gratitude for the successful operation, reaffirmed the government’s determination to eliminate threats to national security.
“As a result of the work of our armed forces and other security services, we are able to rescue and bring back our own people,” he stated. “This time, it involves important personalities who served this country. We thank God for their lives, we are grateful to those who made it possible.”
He further emphasized that the mission is far from over: “This is an ongoing operation and we are doing it quite silently, we will go after the bad ones.”
General Musa also reiterated the military’s commitment to restoring peace and bringing all perpetrators to justice.
