By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade on Saturday handed over nine rescued kidnap victims, including two nursing mothers, to the Katsina State Government.

The victims, who are Katsina State residents, were rescued from captivity in Kaduna State after spending three harrowing months in kidnappers’ den.

Sources told PUNCH that the victims, initially abducted from Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina, were freed during a recent non-combat operation by the army in Yankee Dandam Forest, Kaduna State.

Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, Commander of the 17 Brigade, represented by the Brigade’s Chief of Staff, Col. Yakubu Nwandiscas handed over the victims.

He said the rescue operation was part of the army’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity and urged criminals to embrace peace or face “kinetic” responses.

He said, “The Nigerian Army engages in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. While kinetic operations involve active combat, this particular rescue was achieved through non-kinetic means, demonstrating our readiness to offer peace options to criminals. However, they should take this as a warning; if they refuse to surrender, we will continue our kinetic operations”.

Receiving the victims on behalf of the Katsina State government, the Senior Special Adviser on Security Matters, Sa’idu Ibrahim Danja, commended the army and other security agencies for their efforts.

He assured the victims of government support, saying they would receive medical and psychological care before reuniting with their families.

“Governor Dikko Umar Radda has directed that all rescued victims receive the best possible welfare. Doctors and psycho-social teams are on standby to offer support, and the children will be enrolled in school when eligible.

“The women will receive free medical care at any state-owned hospital for as long as needed. They will be reunited with their families once cleared”, Danja said.

Expressing his gratitude, one of the victims, Inusa Salisu from Sabuwa LGA, recounted the ordeal.

He explained that he and his son were kidnapped from their farm, along with three others, and held in Kaduna State for 90 days. Tragically, two victims, including his 20-year-old son, were killed by the abductors.

“My name is Inusa Salisu from Sabuwa LGA. I was kidnapped along with my son and others from our farm, about five kilometers from town.

“Armed men on motorcycles took us to Yankee Dandam Forest in Kaduna. I spent 90 days in captivity, and during this time, they killed two of us, including my son. We can not thank the soldiers and government enough; may Allah reward them,”, Salisu said.

The handover ceremony was marked by a warm reception organised by the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Katsina.