The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, welcomed 22 students and staff of the Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, back to safety on Monday, April 15, 2024, after they endured 207 days in captivity.
The victims, comprising 15 students and seven university workers, were abducted in September 2023. The rescue operation, spearheaded by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), culminated in their release, commended by Mr. Ribadu during a reception in Abuja.
Expressing gratitude to the parents and lauding the security agencies' relentless efforts, he emphasized the government's commitment to safeguarding citizens and preventing future abductions.
Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, the NCTC National Coordinator, recounted the harrowing abduction, highlighting the bandits' raid on student hostels and subsequent herding of captives to a remote location. After 207 days, the victims were liberated in three batches, each receiving medical attention and care.
Hafsat Ibrahim, one of the rescued individuals, expressed gratitude, while Ibrahim Anka, a Zamfara government representative, praised the coordinated efforts that led to the successful rescue, underscoring recent security improvements in the state.
