National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has received 22 abducted students and staff of Federal University, Gusau, in Zamfara State who were rescued on Sunday.
Ribadu said the rescue operation was coordinated by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) on Sunday, adding that no ransom was paid to secure their release.
The 22 persons, comprising 15 students and seven workers of the university, were abducted from the university on September 22, 2023.
Ribadu, who received the rescued victims on Monday in Abuja, urged them not to allow their experience to break them, but rather make them stronger.
The NSA also thanked the parents of the rescued victims for their patience and understanding during the trying period, and commended security agencies for their tireless work and sacrifices.
“On behalf of the President, I thank all those involved in the successful rescue of the victims without losing any 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 of such victims without noise and in 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,” he said.
Earlier, the national coordinator, NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, recalled that those rescued were abducted from the school on September 22, 2023 at about 02:30 .
Laka said bandits armed with various weapons attacked three off-campus students’ hostels at Sabon Gida in Gusau, and kidnapped a number of female students alongside some male artisans.
Others, he said, were a private security guard and a protocol officer of the university.
He added that the bandits ransacked the hostels, carted away foodstuffs, mobile phones, laptops, ATM cards, cash and other valuables.
According to him, the abductees were subsequently moved on motorcycles and foot to a location through a town in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara State.
“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 while the second batch was rescued on April 12 and the last batch 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 to pregnancy test,” he said.
One of the rescued victims, Hafsat Ibrahim, thanked God and the government for ensuring their safe return after 207 days in captivity.
A representative of Zamfara government, Mr Ibrahim Anka, commended the efforts of the NSA in coordinating the military and security operations that ensured the safe rescue of the victims.
Anka also commended the federal government for the efforts and recent positive improvement in security in the state.