The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday handed over to the Kaduna State Government 58 persons rescued by security agencies during joint operations.

Ribadu handed over the victims to the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who will hand them over to the government.

General Musa, who presented the victims to the state government representative and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sani Kila, said no money was paid for their rescue.

“The rescue was the result of the combined efforts of the army and other security services.

“The operation was both kinetic and non-kinetic, which requires efforts from everyone and not just military kinetic efforts,” he said.

The CDS said all Nigerians must take ownership of the operation for the security agencies to succeed.

“What we are seeing is the success of collaboration from the top. From the Presidency to the Office of the National Security Advisor, from the Ministry of Defense to all agencies working together, including the Kaduna State Government.

“The governor has been very supportive and helpful and it was that collaborative effort that allowed us to save these people.”

“This is a joint effort and we were able to do it through non-kinetic means of communication. Not a single cent was paid for these individuals.

“Now I want Nigerians to understand that if we do not work together, it will be extremely difficult for us to succeed.

“Success depends on all of us working together, as this is a whole-of-society approach,” said.

Musa said some individuals had tried to make the government’s success impossible by sabotaging government efforts.

He added that security agencies were working tirelessly around the lock to ensure that Nigerians felt safe and protected.

“Today is Saturday, a lot of people would have liked to be at home and relax, but we are working. Saturday, Sunday, day and night, all Nigerians went to work, and everyone contributes to the success we are witnessing.

“I also wish to inform Nigerians that we will continue to work hard together and leave no stone unturned until all Nigerians in captivity are released and Nigerians are free to move within the country , day and night, as he was used to. be before.

“We assure Nigerians that we are getting all the necessary support to ensure that we work, and we assure Mr. President that we will do everything possible and that, including Nigerians, until we succeed, we will continue to put pressure on,” he added.

The defense chief clarified that contrary to what many believe, not all those involved in banditry were voluntary tools, adding that some had been conscripted.

He said the army would continue to pursue the perpetrators of these crimes, adding: “They will not be released for the innocent blood they shed.”

The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka said the victims were kidnapped from their homes and farmlands in Gayam, Sabon layi and Kwaga villages in Dan Musa Local Government Area of ​​Katsina State.

Laka said that troops of the I Division, on November 14, around 3 p.m., successfully carried out a joint operation leading to their rescue.

He said the victims were 35 men and 23 women.

According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped by suspected armed bandits under the command of a notorious bandit called JANBROS.

“During the kidnapping, the victims were forced to walk hundreds of kilometers through the thick forest of Birnin Gwari.

“Upon their rescue, the government provided all necessary assistance to stabilize them and then hand them over to ONSA for immediate rehabilitation and medical check-ups, where they were examined and six were admitted.

“The six admitted victims recovered and joined us and were later handed over to their respective families,” he said.

The Chief of Staff to Kaduna Governor, Sani Limankila, thanked security agencies and called on all Nigerians to team up with security agencies to stop kidnapping.