The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has announced that the Federal Government is diligently collaborating with relevant authorities to close up ungoverned spaces used as hiding places for criminal elements in the country.
Raye24reporters reports that the NSA made this statement while officially delivering 16 abductees to Zamfara State government officials following their rescue from terrorists by security agencies.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Head of Strategic Communications NCTC-ONSA, Abu Michael, reiterated the federal government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and protection of Nigerians.
According to him, the government’s continued success in various rescue operations, such as the one where Ribadu, delivered 16 abductees to Zamfara state officials at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, is a clear demonstration of this commitment.
The victims, rescued in two separate incidents on June 27, 2024, in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs, consisted of a diverse group of eight males and eight females, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these criminal acts.
The statement noted that the individuals were taken from Zurmi, Duran, and Gusau Metropolis in Zamfara State on 22 April 2024, but were later rescued by a team of security operatives from the NCTC and ONSA.
During their presentation to state officials, led by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG Alhaji Abubakar Nakwada, the NSA reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Government’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping and other serious crimes in the country.
The NSA called on all Nigerian citizens and residents to continue supporting the security agencies’ efforts in realizing the government’s goal of securing the nation.
Mallam Ribadu guaranteed that every possible measure would be taken to ensure a safe and strong society.
“The government is working assiduously with relevant authorities to close up ungoverned spaces that have continued to provide hiding places for criminal elements in the country,” he said.
In his address, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, emphasized the importance of citizens reporting suspicious activities promptly to security agencies. This call to action aims to enhance a proactive response from the authorities.
Recall that a few weeks ago, a successful rescue operation was carried out by security agencies, led by Major General Adamu Laka, to save 22 abducted students and staff of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, including a victim from Sokoto State.
The Zamfara State SSG, along with the State Commissioner for Project Implementation and Alhaji Ibrahim Isah, received the rescued individuals in Abuja.
Senator Shehu Buba, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, was also present at the event.
Furthermore, the NCTC has established a multi-agency anti-kidnap fusion cell to monitor and track kidnappers and ensure the safe rescue of abductees.
