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Over 1,000 kidnapped victims so far rescued without ransom — FG
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday, said the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has so far rescued over 1,000 kidnap victims without paying a ransom.
Ribadu said this when he received 22 students and staff of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, rescued on Sunday.
The bandits had, on September 22, 2023, invaded the institution and abducted over 30 students and members of staff.
The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mani Mummuni, who was at the university to sympathise with the families and the school authorities over the incident, called on security agencies to hasten the rescue of the kidnapped students.
In a press statement, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, assured that the command would ensure the rescue of all the kidnapped students, as it had deployed an additional tactical team for search-and-rescue operations.
The police noted that “On September 22, 2023, at about 0250hrs, suspected bandits, riding on about 50 motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons, invaded three students’ rented apartments in Sabon Gida Village near the Federal University, Gusau and kidnapped an unspecified number of students, taking them to an unknown destination.”
Seven of the students were rescued while two escaped, leaving 22 others in captivity.
On Sunday, the 22, comprising 15 students and seven workers of the university, were rescued in an exercise coordinated by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre.
Speaking while receiving the students in Abuja, the NSA appreciated the security operatives for rescuing the students “without losing anyone of them or paying any ransom.”
He said, “On behalf of the President, I thank all those involved in the successful rescue of the victims without losing anyone of them or paying any ransom.
“This is yet again a success story in our efforts to free all those being unlawfully held in captivity.
“We have so far released over a thousand such victims without noise and with complete respect to their privacy and safety.
“This occasion marks a final juncture in a series of rescues we have undertaken in the last few months, to free victims of recent cases of mass abductions.
“Going forward, we are strengthening law enforcement and security measures to prevent these abductions and strengthen physical security across vulnerable communities.”
Ribadu urged the students and university workers not to allow their experience to break them, but should rather make them stronger.”
In March, the military rescued 137 students kidnapped from Kaduna State, with the Federal Government saying no ransom was paid, despite that the bandits demanded N1bn.
The NSA also thanked the parents of the rescued victims for their patience and understanding during the period and commended security agencies for their sacrifices.
Earlier, the National Coordinator, NCTC, Maj-Gen Adamu Laka (retd.), said search and rescue operations conducted by security agencies led to the release of the students in three batches.
He said, “Search and rescue was conducted by a combined team of law enforcement agencies and the abductees were subsequently released in three batches, after 207 days in captivity.
“The first batch was rescued on March 15 the second batch was rescued on April 12 and the last batch rescued on April 14.
“All the abductees were profiled at NCTC while the ONSA Medical Team examined them and administered minor treatments on the bruises sustained by three of them.
“Four of them were diagnosed with malaria and are being treated. None of the females was molested and all the females tested negative for pregnancy test.”
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Occurrences In Edo Election Deeply Disturbing—Dr Tanko
The National Coordinator of the Obidients Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko has slammed the malpractices that characterized the just concluded Edo State Governorship election describing it as deeply troubling.
Dr Tanko in a statement issued in Abuja stressed that the outcome of the election has revealed a disconcerting occurrence that did not not reflect the true wishes of the people.
Those with a conscience must stand firm against the individuals and agencies abusing their positions to weaken our democratic institutions. Edo State election is a clear signal that electoral reforms are urgently needed, and we must prioritize the protection of our democratic processes.
It is time to collectively push for a true independent electoral commission, transparent campaign financing, voter education and empowerment.
It is time to ensure that individuals and organizations are made to be strictly held accountable for electoral misconducts and Offences as a way of safeguarding our democracy.
As Obidients, we urge Nigerians irrespective of party affiliations to come together and defend our democracy from this type of brigandage for the future of our nation to ensure that power stays in the hands of the people, not in the grasp of a select few.
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Edo: Obi finally speaks on Akpata’s defeat, says it’s a ‘state capture’
Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has described the results of the just concluded Edo State elections as a case of “state capture.”
Recall the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election, with Asue Ighodalo in second place and Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party finishing third.
In a tweet on Monday afternoon, Obi criticized the electoral process, saying that the elections in Edo do not reflect a genuine democratic system.
He disclosed that politics should focus on serving the nation rather than merely seizing power.
Obi pointed out that the flawed leadership recruitment process in the country is leading to dire consequences, urging those in authority to rectify the situation rather than rely on it to maintain their positions.
He disclosed the significant investments made in the INEC’s IReV and BVAS systems, stressing that these tools must be properly utilized to combat electoral fraud.
Obi called on agencies and individuals undermining democracy to consider the long-term implications of their actions, warning that society will ultiultimately seek justice for the damage done.
He tweeted:
“What happened over the weekend in the name of election in Edo State does not in any way represent the democratic process we chose as a method of electing our political leadership.
“Instead, it was a blatant example of ‘state capture’ and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values.
“Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country.
“I urge those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power.
“As a country, we have invested significantly in IReV and BVAS, and they must be allowed to function and used properly in order to free our electoral process from the massive falsification that has plagued it and worsening.
“To the agencies and individuals being used to undermine our democracy simply because they hold positions of authority, please remember that your time in office is not eternal. The society that you are helping to destroy today will eventually take her revenge on you tomorrow.
“To the lecturers and others complicit in perpetuating this charade, you must reflect deeply on the roles you are playing in damaging the very foundation of our democracy.
“The damage you are causing today will inevitably take revenge on you tomorrow and affect your children in the future.
“This kind of action has no place in a true democracy. That is why I have always maintained that today’s politics is not about capturing power, but about saving the country and making it work for everyone, regardless of their background.”
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