The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Friday handed over two rescued kidnap victims to their family and announced the arrest of five suspects linked to their abduction.
The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka presented the rescued victims, Antini and Safarau, to their husband, Ibrahim Ahmed, on behalf of the NSA.
He said the women were abducted from their home at Kwanar Dangora in Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State on July 28 by a gang of 11 armed men wielding AK-47 rifles.
According to him, the assailants forcibly took the two wives to a bandits’ enclave, where they were held for four months.
“Following the incident, the NSA directed security and intelligence agencies to launch an intensive, coordinated operation to trace and rescue the victims.
“After sustained efforts over the past four months, the two women were successfully rescued, and five members of the gang responsible for the abduction were apprehended.
“This evening, authorities formally handed over Safarau and Altine to their husband, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed,” he said.
Laka said the leader of the gang fled to Zamfara, where security agencies were on his trail. He added that the five suspects were in custody awaiting further action.
He assured that intelligence and security agencies would continue their efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country.
“There is no hiding place for those who engage in kidnapping, banditry, or any act of terror.
“We assure Nigerians that the Office of the National Security Adviser, all security agencies, and the Armed Forces will continue to deploy all available capabilities to safeguard lives and maintain national security.
“We therefore call on all citizens to support our collective efforts to end this menace.
“We are also working very hard to rescue all the schoolgirls kidnapped in Niger State and by the grace of God, we will have good news for Nigerians very soon,” he added.
PUNCH Online had reported that on November 21, over 315 persons, 303 students and 12 teachers, were kidnapped from St Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State. About 50 were said to have escaped.
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