The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday handed over 128 kidnapped victims rescued from bandits’ camps in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State to the state government.
Presenting the victims in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, said they were freed during coordinated security operations conducted in two phases earlier in August.
According to him, the first operation on August 14 led to the rescue of 42 persons — 14 men, 27 women, and a toddler. A second operation on August 19 freed 88 others, comprising 34 men and 54 women.
“Sadly, we lost one child from the second group due to illness, likely from the fatigue of captivity.
In addition, one of the women gave birth prematurely after the rescue, and the baby is currently receiving medical attention,” Laka disclosed.
He explained that the victims had been receiving medical treatment, psychological support, and rehabilitation under the care of the Office of the NSA before their formal handover for reintegration with their families and communities in Zamfara.