NSA Rescues Kidnap Victims in Kaduna, Woman Gives Birth in Captivity

NSA Rescues Kidnap Victims in Kaduna, Woman Gives Birth in Captivity

 

 

 

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday handed over two kidnapped victims rescued in Kaduna State to their families, as security agencies announced the arrest of suspects linked to serious crimes across the country.

 

The rescued victims, Khadijah and Fatimah Shehu Magaji, were handed over to their husband, Alhaji Shehu Magaji, by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, on behalf of the NSA.

 

Speaking during the handover, Laka said the rescue highlighted the effectiveness of non-kinetic strategies in tackling insecurity.

 

He disclosed that the women were abducted on August 18 in Makarfi Local Government Area and were held in Yadi Forest, Giwa Local Government Area, for 33 days under extremely harsh conditions.

 

“While in captivity, Khadijah gave birth to a baby girl, Hafsat, in extremely difficult circumstances,” he said.

 

Laka added that the kidnappers initially demanded N500 million ransom, later reducing it to N200 million. “Through dialogue and intelligence, we secured their release without paying any ransom,” he said.

 

The victims were rescued on September 19 and formally handed over to representatives of the Kaduna State Government for onward reunification with their families.

 

Meanwhile, Laka revealed that security agencies had made significant breakthroughs in parallel operations, arresting suspects including Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Alaye, and Adamu Mohammed, linked to armed robbery, kidnappings, and multiple killings.

 

He said the gang was responsible for the killing of a lawmaker in Gareywa and a Divisional Police Officer in Gwagwalada, Abuja, with their criminal network operating across Delta, Kaduna, Kano, and Nasarawa states.

 

“This operation demonstrates that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is yielding results. But our greatest weapon remains unity and resilience as a people,” Laka said.