NSA Hands Over 128 Kidnap Victims To Zamfara Government

The office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has handed over 128 kidnapped victims rescued from bandits’ camps in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State to the state government.

The National Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka disclosed this while presenting the victims to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Laka explained that the victims were freed during coordinated security operations carried out in two phases earlier in August.

According to him, the first group of victims — 42 individuals comprising 14 males, 27 females, and a toddler, were rescued on August 14.

The second group, comprising 88 individuals made up of 34 males and 54 females, was freed on August 19.

“Unfortunately, among the second group, we lost one of the children due to illness, likely from the fatigue they suffered while in captivity.

“In addition, one of the women gave birth prematurely after the rescue, and the baby is currently receiving medical attention,” Laka stated.

He noted that since their rescue, the victims have been under the care of NSA, where they received medical treatment, psychological support, and rehabilitation.

“With their recovery process ongoing, we are now handing them over to the Zamfara State Government for reintegration with their families and communities,” the NCTC coordinator added.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu is expected to officially launch Nigeria’s revised National Counter-Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) in October, following the completion of an extensive review process designed to align the nation’s security framework with emerging threats.

Laka disclosed this at the third quarter stakeholders’ meeting of NACTEST in Abuja on Tuesday, where he confirmed that the document has been finalised and forwarded to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for approval.