Kidnappers, Collaborators Will Face Justice, Says NSA Ribadu as Rescued Victims Reunite with Families

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a powerful statement underscoring the Nigerian government’s resolve to combat the rising tide of abductions, National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu vowed on Friday that kidnappers and their collaborators would face severe consequences for their “heinous crimes.”

The pledge came during an emotional ceremony in Abuja, where Ribadu handed over 19 rescued kidnapping victims—including prominent figures such as Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (rtd), former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Ambassador Gideon Yohana, Nigeria’s deputy head of mission to Pretoria, South Africa—to their families.

The event, marked by gratitude and relief, highlighted both the successes and ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity. Ribadu, visibly moved by the resilience of the rescued victims, expressed alarm at the persistent wave of abductions despite intensified efforts by security agencies.

“We are alarmed by the increasing cases of abduction, but our efforts to combat this menace are relentless,” he said. “We’ll go after the bad ones. This is not the end of the story. These people have been rescued, but those who perpetrated this crime will pay dearly for it.”

The rescued group, which included 17 other individuals, had endured harrowing ordeals at the hands of their captors. Their release was credited to the coordinated efforts of Nigeria’s armed forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and other security agencies, working under the strategic direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

We are alarmed by the increasing cases of abduction, but our efforts to combat this menace are relentless

Ribadu praised the President’s leadership, noting, “Significant achievements have been made under the leadership of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. On behalf of the President, we are grateful to our armed forces and security services for the work they are doing.”

Describing the freed hostages as “symbols of collective sacrifice,” Ribadu emphasized the toll their suffering had taken on the nation. “These amazing people paid dearly on behalf of all of us. They are symbols of our sacrifice, the torture and torment we have endured at the hands of a few but extremely bad individuals among us,” he said.

He then formally handed the victims over to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, for reunification with their families, adding, “Thank you very much, and God bless you.”

General Musa, in his remarks, reaffirmed the military’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of Nigerians but stressed that the fight against insecurity required a united national effort. “It’s not going to be automatic; there’s still work to be done. But we, together as Nigerians, will take this challenge as a Nigerian challenge. And we must all work together to ensure success,” he said.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, including any misconduct by security personnel, to maintain accountability. “Once they do wrong, do not hesitate to report them so that we can take action,” Musa added.

It’s not going to be automatic; there’s still work to be done

Addressing the rescued victims directly, particularly Brigadier General Tsiga, the CDS expressed relief at their safe return. “Our General, Sir, we are happy to have you. We’ve been so worried, but we made sure that we did not sleep until you were out,” he said.

“We go after the bad guys. And they will pay for this.” Musa assured Nigerians that security forces would not relent in their mission to protect the country and bring criminals to justice.

The ceremony took a poignant turn when Brigadier General Tsiga, one of the high-profile victims, shared his chilling experience in captivity. Speaking with raw emotion, he described the inhumane conditions he and others endured.

“Those of us who have gone through it, we have seen it. We’ve tested it,” he said. “A day before I left there—just the day before yesterday—on the mountain where I was staying, unexpectedly, we looked around, and what did we see? A hyena parading around us, looking for food. And what kind of food? We, the human beings.”

Tsiga recounted how their captors exploited their ranks to shield themselves during attacks. “Whenever they were being attacked, they would bring us out so that the aircraft could hit us,” he revealed.

Those of us who have gone through it, we have seen it. We’ve tested it

He also described a near-fatal incident involving an unexploded rocket placed near his sleeping area as a trap. “They carried that rocket to where I was sleeping and kept it there, hiding it, so that26 the moment I touched it, it would explode. But God is merciful.”

The retired general emphasized the collective responsibility of Nigerians in combating insecurity. “The NSA is not a magician. The CDS is not a magician. You must bring information to them so they can act on it,” he urged. He painted a vivid picture of the kidnappers’ mindset, noting, “These criminals don’t fear God, but they fear aircraft. They tell you outright, ‘Don’t call God for us, just give us money.’ But the moment they see aircraft, even their cows start running.”

Tsiga, who suffers from hypertension, also spoke of the physical toll of his captivity. “They gave us food once a week, and that food lasts only two hours. The only thing they used was salt. Even if you are not a doctor, you know that for hypertensive people, continuous salt intake is dangerous,” he said. “Now look at me—I cannot climb these steps. It is all the salt, the beatings, and the torment they put us through.”

Don’t call God for us, just give us money.’ But the moment they see aircraft, even their cows start running

Despite his ordeal, Tsiga remained resolute, encouraging his fellow survivors to grow stronger from the experience and calling on Nigerians to pray and contribute to the nation’s security efforts. “We thank Almighty God for giving us this opportunity to live again,” he concluded.

Earlier in the ceremony, Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Terrorism Centre (NCTC), handed over the rescued victims to the NSA.

He detailed the tireless efforts of the military, DSS, police, and other agencies in securing their release unharmed. The operation underscored the government’s multi-agency approach to tackling kidnapping and terrorism, a strategy Ribadu described as “ongoing and relentless.”

We thank Almighty God for giving us this opportunity to live again

The event concluded with a renewed call for unity and vigilance, as Nigeria continues to grapple with the complex security challenges posed by kidnapping and other forms of criminality. For the rescued victims and their families, the day marked a triumphant return to freedom—and a stark reminder of the work still ahead.