The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday reunited 128 kidnap victims rescued by security forces with their families in Abuja.
The handover took place at the Headquarters of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the NSA (NCTC–ONSA). Ribadu dismissed reports that more than 30 of the victims had been killed, insisting that all were brought out alive.
“Today, we present a total of 128 persons rescued from Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to our resolve as a nation,” Ribadu said. He added that the victims would undergo medical treatment, trauma care, and rehabilitation to aid their reintegration into their families and communities.
The NSA commended the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies for their role in the operation, vowing that terrorists and bandits would have no hiding place. “We will hunt them, we will find them, and we will bring them to justice — or they will meet the same fate as the many kingpins already neutralised,” he declared.
National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Laka, said the victims were rescued in two batches. The first group of 42 persons — 40 males, seven females, and a toddler — was freed on August 14. The second batch of 88, comprising 34 males and 54 females, was rescued on August 19.
General Laka disclosed that one child among the second batch died due to illness and fatigue suffered in captivity, while a rescued woman gave birth prematurely and her baby is now receiving medical care. He noted that all victims had received immediate medical attention and psychological support under the supervision of the NSA’s office.
Meanwhile, the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) Network, with support from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and ActionAid Nigeria, launched two initiatives in Abuja aimed at countering extremist ideologies and promoting peacebuilding.
The programmes — Youth Against Violent Extremism (YAVE) and the YAVE Youth Content Challenge — seek to empower young people to lead advocacy, storytelling, and digital campaigns against violent extremism.
Interim National Coordinator of YAVE, Mohammed Sadiq Mustapha, said the initiative provides youth with “a platform to shape narratives, counter extremist ideologies, and strengthen peace, inclusivity, and community resilience.”
The YAVE Youth Content Challenge will feature a nationwide digital contest inviting submissions in film, photography, graphics, poetry, essays, and other creative formats. The theme is: “Empowering Youth Voices, Building Resilient Communities.”
