By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has reiterated the government’s firm stance against the payment of ransom to kidnappers as he handed over 60 rescued victims to their families. Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ribadu urged Nigerians to desist from financing kidnappers, warning that ransom payments only embolden criminal elements and fail to guarantee the safe return of loved ones.
In a moving address, Ribadu revealed that many of the victims’ families had already paid ransoms, yet the kidnappers still refused to release their captives. He stressed that only the intervention of security forces secured their freedom. “We are here once again to do what we have done a couple of times—handover rescued victims of kidnap and banditry to their families,” he said. “These evil people turn lives upside down. Many of these victims have been in captivity for months, but we thank God. Today, we are releasing 60, and hopefully, this will be the final one from that part of Nigeria.”
He praised the dedication of the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies for their role in the operation, as well as the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, whose government, he said, is working tirelessly to restore security and stability across the country. Ribadu assured Nigerians that this latest rescue is not the end of the story. “We will go after the criminals. Justice will be served. Anyone involved will never see peace,” he declared.
He issued a strong warning to the public about the dangers of paying ransom, describing it as a practice that is not only ineffective but harmful. “The families of many of these people gave money to their abductors, but it did not lead to their release. It is the security forces who brought them back. I understand the desperation when a loved one is taken, but paying ransom is counterproductive,” he warned.
Providing details of the rescue, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, stated that the 60 hostages were freed at around noon on Monday by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division, in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies. The victims were taken from various parts of Kaduna State—particularly Lere, Zangon Kataf, and Kagarko Local Government Areas—as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The group of freed hostages includes 35 males and 25 females. Among them was Adesanya Michael, a Deputy Director with the National Assembly Commission who was kidnapped in Kubwa, Abuja, and Ishaya Kuka, a brother to Bishop Matthew Kukah. The victims were reportedly abducted from their homes and farmlands by armed bandits under the command of notorious criminal leaders known as Yellow One Million, Yellow Maiduna, Shehu Rekeb, and Farin Yellow.
According to the NCTC, the captives were subjected to appalling, inhumane conditions while in captivity. Upon rescue, the Office of the National Security Adviser provided urgent medical attention and stabilisation care before transferring the victims to 1 Division for rehabilitation.
Speaking after his release, Mr Adesanya Michael expressed deep gratitude to the security forces, describing his captors as utterly heartless. “They treated us like animals. They had no human feelings,” he recounted, still visibly shaken from the ordeal.
