The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has officially handed over 128 kidnapped victims rescued from bandits’ camps in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State to the state government.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday while presenting the victims to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to Laka, the victims were freed in two separate operations earlier in August. The first group of 42 victims (14 males, 27 females, and a toddler) was rescued on August 14, while the second group of 88 victims (34 males and 54 females) was freed on August 19.
Tragically, one child from the second group died due to illness linked to fatigue from captivity. In another development, one rescued woman gave birth prematurely after the operation, with the baby currently receiving medical attention.
Medical & Psychological Support
Laka confirmed that the victims received medical treatment, psychological support, and rehabilitation services under ONSA before being handed over to the Zamfara State Government for reintegration with their families and communities.
The handover comes as security agencies intensify efforts to curb banditry in Zamfara, one of the epicentres of mass abductions in the North-West.
