In the midst of a one billion naira demand as ransom by the abductors, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday assured all hostages abducted by terrorists in all parts of the country is top on its priority.
Blueprint reports that last Thursday, terrorists abducted 287 teachers and pupils of Government Secondary School and the LEA Primary School, both in Kuriga, Chikum local government area of Kaduna state.
Also, last week Monday, Boko Haram insurgents reportedly abducted dozens of female internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ngala, the headquarters of Gambarou Ngala of Borno state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had, Wednesday, vowed that no ransom would be paid, even as he ordered security agencies to ensure a safe rescue of the captives.
…Military’s tough stance
But addressing journalists in Abuja, Director Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba said the military won’t rest until all kidnapped victims are rescued.
He said: “As in every war, there are complexities and ours is no exception. Recently, cases of citizens being abducted in the North East , North West and North Central theatres of operations were recorded.
“These citizens were abducted by a brutal and blood-thirsty group that should only be addressed as terrorists, and not bandits. I repeat, these are terrorists and not bandits.
“They are holding these citizens against their will and against all norms of human behaviour, and against the laws of armed conflict and any good measure in the world. No doubt, this is a difficult situation, but not one that is insurmountable.
“The hostage situation is an extremely sensitive one which unfortunately is not unprecedented in the history of the ongoing war. These hostages are being held in locations that are difficult to get to, but not out of reach. The situation is however indicative of the desperation of these terrorist to avoid troops onslaught by all means.
“I can further assure that, getting these hostages back is very clearly on the top of our priorities. It is for this reason we have leveraged on our international partners for support.
“Accordingly, they are providing the necessary support including intelligence that is giving us the advantage in dealing with the ugly situation.”
…Successes recorded
Speaking on successes recorded by the military in the fight against insecurity in different theatres of operations in the last one week, General Buba said troops neutralised 213 terrorists and arrested 216 of them.
He disclosed that troops also arrested 67 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 26 kidnapped hostages in different parts of the country.
According to the defence spokesperson, in the South-south geo-political zone, troops denied the oil thieves crude estimated to worth the sum of One Billion Five Hundred and Fifty Eighty Million Six Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand and Eighty Naira (N1, 558,665,080.00) only.
Speakingx further, Buba said troops recovered 189 assorted weapons and 4,003 assorted ammunition.
Giving the breakdown, he said: “111 AK47 rifles, G3 rifle, 31 locally fabricated guns, 5 pump action guns, automatic pump action guns, 26 dane guns, 4 locally made double barrels, 2 fabricated pistols, RPG bomb and IEDs (OGBUNIGWE).
“Others are 2,766 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 982 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 240 live cartridges, 2 shotgun cartridges, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, 36 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 38 magazines, 3 G3 magazines, 8 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, 19 mobile phones, 4 bicycles, rifle butt, rifle stock and the sum of N628,000.00 amongst other items.”
…NSCDC too assures
Also, Commandant General Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has assured that his agency, in collaboration with other security agencies, will fish out the abductors of students and teachers in Kaduna state.
Audi gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit on the state governor, Senator Uba Sani.
In a statement released Thursday in Abuja by the NSCDC spokesman, CSC Babawale Afolabi, the Comptroller General assured of speedy rescue of the abductees.
Audi said: “Your Excellency Sir, as a matter of concern, let me on behalf of the NSCDC management and Personnel across the nation, say that we are ready to work in collaboration with all relevant security agencies with full mechanisms and security apparatus put in place to see that the perpetrators of this heinous crime do not go scot-free.
“The NSCDC remains a key actor in the nation’s internal security and the lead agency in the Safe Schools Initiative. Currently, we are in strong synergy with the Nigerian Army, the Police and others for the quick and safe return of the abducted students.”
The NSCDC boss commended the governor for providing necessary logistics for the NSCDC State Command to function effectively while also pleading for the allocation of a befitting command permanent site and Operational Vehicles that would enhance the discharge of the corps’ statutory mandate in safeguarding all critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.
The CG further appealed to various communities in Kaduna state to work closely with security agencies by providing intelligence and information in order to achieve the desired success and results afterwards.
Responding, Governor Sani, who commended the NSCDC for effective collaboration with the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, and the DSS among others, hinted that all critical stakeholders must play active roles to forestall criminalities and frustrate the evil men.
…Army rescues Taraba kidnap victims
In a related development, troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke Wednesday carried out an operation, leading to the rescue of three kidnap victims and the recovery of eight bodies in Taraba state.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this Thursday in a statement posted on its official X handle.
The statement said the operation led by the Commander, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, was conducted in response to an attack on an 18-seater bus along Maraban-Baisa in Donga local government area which resulted in the disappearance of 15 passengers, including a baby.
“One of the key incidents that prompted the military response was an attack on an 18-seater bus at Gamkwe Village along Maraban-Baisa in Donga Local Government Area, resulting in the disappearance of 15 passengers, including a baby.
“This incident led to the blocking of a crucial road in the area. Through diligent patrolling and search efforts, the troops were able to clear the roadblock and thoroughly search the surrounding villages of Gankwe, Aakar, Gidan Adamu, and Magudu, ultimately recovering eight bodies, including that of a missing baby.
“Additionally, upon receiving intelligence on armed militias surrounding Sanso village in Donga Local Government Area, the troops swiftly mobilised to the location.
“The militias stole valuable items, including motorcycles, and kidnapped several villagers.
“In response, the troops engaged in a pursuit operation, resulting in the successful rescue of three female kidnap victims and the recovery of four motorcycles, along with significant quantities of grains. The military forces also took action to disrupt the activities of the armed militias in the area,” the Army said.
While commending the commander for the swift responses and restoring peace back to the communities, the statement quoted the council chairman of the local government area, Ezra Voka, as assuring the military of continuous and prompt information and intelligence support.
…Ransom demand
Despite efforts by the military and other security agencies to rescue the abductees in Kaduna state, the criminal elements were said to have contacted a spokesman for the families of the hostages, demanding a total of one billion naira ($620,432) for the release of the students.
According to report by Reuters, the kidnappers also vowed to kill the students and staff in 20 days if their demand is not met.
The kidnappers according to Jubril Aminu, a community leader who acts as a spokesman for the families of the hostages, said: “They made a total of a 1 billion (naira) ransom demand for all the pupils, students and staff of the school,” Aminu said.
“They gave an ultimatum to pay the ransom within 20 days, effective from the date of the kidnap. They said they will kill all the students and the staff if the ransom demand is not met.”
Idris Ibrahim, an elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council, confirmed the ransom demand and the amount.
“Yes, the kidnappers called the community through Jubril Aminu’s number and made the demand,” he said.
“They called from a hidden number but the authorities are working on getting the number,” Ibrahim told Reuters.
He added that the security forces were taking “adequate measures” to secure the release of the students..