NSA hands over rescued kidnap victims to family, reveals arrest of top suspects

National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday handed over two women rescued from kidnappers in Kaduna to their family, as security agencies announced the arrest of suspects linked to several high-profile crimes.

The National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, who represented the NSA, presented the victims — Khadijah and Fatimah Shehu Magaji — to their husband, Alhaji Shehu Magaji.

Laka said the women were abducted on August 18 in Makarfi, Kaduna State, and held in Yadi Forest, Giwa Local Government Area, for 33 days under harsh conditions. While in captivity, Khadijah gave birth to a baby girl, Hafsat.

“The kidnappers demanded ₦500 million, later reduced to ₦200 million. Yet, through dialogue and intelligence, we secured their release without ransom,” Laka said.

The victims were rescued on September 19 and subsequently reunited with the Kaduna State Government before Tuesday’s handover.

He also disclosed that security forces had made significant arrests in separate operations, including Ibrahim Mohammed (alias Alaye) and Adamu Mohammed, who are linked to armed robbery, kidnappings, and multiple killings.

According to Laka, the suspects’ network was responsible for the murder of a lawmaker in Gareywa and the killing of a Divisional Police Officer in Gwagwalada, Abuja, with operations spanning Delta, Kaduna, Kano, and Nasarawa States.

“This operation is proof that Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy is yielding results.

“But our greatest weapon remains unity and resilience as a people,” he added.