By Eshiorameh Sebastian, Abuja
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern and unequivocal warning to terrorists and bandits operating in Nigeria, declaring that the federal government will hunt them down and bring them to justice.
He made this pledge during a solemn ceremony in Abuja where he personally handed over 128 kidnap victims, recently rescued in Zamfara State, to their emotional families.
The event, held at the headquarters of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, served as a powerful symbol of the government’s resolve. Ribadu assured the nation that the administration of President Bola Tinubu will not rest in its pursuit of those who terrorise citizens, emphasising a commitment to ensuring every community is safe and every Nigerian can live in freedom.
“We will hunt them, we will find them, and we will bring them to justice,” Ribadu stated. He added a grim corollary for those who refuse to surrender, saying, “or they will meet the same fate as the many kingpins who have already been neutralised by our forces.” This firm declaration underscores a significant shift towards a more assertive and proactive security strategy.
The handover of the 128 survivors, mostly young women rescued from Kaura Namoda local government area on August 26, was a poignant moment that put a human face on the nation’s security challenges. Ribadu was quick to refute earlier media reports suggesting over 30 of the victims had been killed, insisting that nearly all were recovered alive through the concerted efforts of security forces with support from local communities.
“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,” the National Security Adviser said. He framed the rescue not just as a successful operation but as a reaffirmation of the government’s “collective determination to create a more secure environment for every single person.”
Ribadu highlighted the importance of post-rescue care, explaining that the victims were brought to his office not only for safety but to facilitate their healing. “Healing is as important as the rescue itself,” he noted. “They will be treated for trauma and supported to reintegrate into their families and communities, because we understand that the journey to full recovery requires compassion, care, and resilience.”
Providing further operational details, the National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major General Adamu Laka, disclosed that the victims were rescued in two coordinated batches. The first operation on August 14 secured 42 individuals, while the second on August 19 rescued 88 more. He somberly noted that one child had tragically succumbed to illness and extreme fatigue suffered in captivity, while a prematurely born baby from a rescued woman was receiving specialised incubator care.
The ceremony also coincided with the unveiling of a new civil society initiative, the Youth Against Violent Extremism (YAVE) platform, supported by groups like ActionAid Nigeria. This programme aims to empower young people to counter terrorist ideologies and lead peacebuilding efforts through creative advocacy and storytelling, representing the non-kinetic side of the government’s comprehensive strategy.
In a related development, a security operation in Kwara State yielded further success. Dozens of kidnap victims managed to escape from a bandits’ hideout in the Baba-sango forest of Ifelodun Local Government Area during a security crackdown. A security source confirmed that several criminals were eliminated in the operation, forcing others to flee and allowing their captives to run to safety in nearby towns like Babanla and Shagbe.
Ribadu’s forceful vow, coupled with the tangible results of recent rescues, sends a clear message: the government is applying both military pressure and humanitarian aftercare in its renewed campaign against insecurity.
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