A total of 58 people, including women and children, who were abducted by bandits in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have regained their freedom.
The victims were released around 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, following a non-kinetic rescue operation led by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
After their release, the rescued individuals were immediately taken for medical checks before being debriefed at the NSA’s office by Nuhu Ribadu. They were later handed over to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who then transferred them to a representative of Governor Uba Sani, Chief of Staff Sani Kila.
Speaking on the development, the Chief of Staff expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the NSA, and the military for their consistent efforts in tackling insecurity in Kaduna and the Northwest region. He praised Governor Uba Sani for playing a key role in securing the victims’ release.
“I would like to thank the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, the NSA, all the security agencies, and especially Governor Uba Sani. His dedication and relentless efforts were crucial in securing the victims’ freedom. We also appreciate the support of religious leaders and traditional institutions—security is a shared responsibility, and we must all come together to combat this menace,” he stated.
This successful operation is a significant step, given the increasing incidents of abductions in the region. The Joint Rescue Mission, spearheaded by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 1 Mechanised Division, highlights the commitment of Governor Sani’s administration to addressing insecurity in the state using collaborative and non-violent strategies.
During the handover ceremony, General Musa noted that some victims had sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention.
“Six of the victims had severe injuries and were treated. They were given food and clothing before being brought here. We now hand them over to you and express our gratitude to His Excellency,” General Musa remarked.
