By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has strongly advised families against paying ransoms to kidnappers, stating that it only fuels criminal activities.
His warning came as over 60 hostages, recently freed in Zangon Kataf, Southern Kaduna, were handed over to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, in Abuja on Tuesday.
The rescued victims, including a civil service Deputy Director and a relative of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, had spent over a month in captivity.
Ribadu commended the military and security agencies for their efforts, crediting President Bola Tinubu’s support for recent successes. Defence Minister Badaru urged the public to provide actionable intelligence to aid security operations.
One freed captive, Adesiyam Michael, recounted his traumatic ordeal and called for youth rehabilitation to deter crime.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks nationwide.