The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, received 22 students and staff members of the Federal University of Gusau in Zamfara State rescued on Sunday.
Bandits had on September 2023 invaded the institution and abducted over 30 students and staff members.
Seven of the students were rescued while two escaped https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/outrage-as-bandits-hold-21-zamfara-female-students/%3famp.
On Sunday, the remaining students were rescued by security forces.
Speaking while receiving the students in Abuja, the NSA appreciated the security operatives for rescuing the students “without losing anyone of them or paying any ransom.”
He said, “On behalf of the President, I thank all those involved in the successful rescue of the victims without losing anyone of them or paying any ransom.
“This is yet again a success story in our efforts to free all those being unlawfully held in captivity.
“We have so far released over a thousand such victims without noise and with complete respect to their privacy and safety.
“This occasion marks a final juncture in a series of rescues we have undertaken in the last few months, to free victims of recent cases of mass abductions.
“Going forward, we are strengthening law enforcement and security measures to prevent these abductions, and strengthen physical security across vulnerable communities.”
Ribadu urged them not to allow their experience to break them, but should rather make them stronger.
The NSA also thanked the parents of the rescued victims for their patience and understanding during the period and commended security agencies for their tireless work and sacrifices.
Earlier, the National Coordinator, National Counter-terrorism Center, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka(retd) said search and rescue operations conducted by security agencies led to the release of the students in three batches.
He said, “Search and rescue was conducted by a combined team of law enforcement agencies, and the abductees were subsequently released in three batches, after 207 days in captivity.
“The first batch was rescued on March 15, the second batch was rescued on April 12, and the last batch was rescued on April 14.
“All the abductees were profiled at NCTC while the ONSA Medical Team examined them and administered minor treatments on the bruises sustained by three of the abductees.
“Four of them were diagnosed with malaria and are being treated. None of the females was molested and all the females tested negative for pregnancy test.”
