Nigerian authorities have given a detailed explanation of how 58 kidnapped victims were rescued from the terrorist den in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Federal Government has since, handed over the rescued victims to the Kaduna State Government, after examining their health condition.
The 58 rescued victims, according to BBC Hausa Service, include 23 females and 35 males, who were abducted at Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State during separate attacks by the terrorist groups, before they were herded to forests in Birnin Gwari area in Kaduna State.
The eldest among the freed captives is 65-year-old Ibrahim Audu, and the youngest was an infant, who was less than a year old, whose mother was abducted three months ago.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), told the BBC Hausa that the successful operation was a result of the synergy and inter-agency collaboration, coupled with the intelligence gathered from the locals.
He said: “First and foremost, I will start by thanking Almighty Allah for this victory, the President who through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), gives us maximum support, for the feat we have continued to achieve.
“If you see the kidnapped victims, it’s as if they were looking for what to eat and drink. What ransom would a kidnapper get from such victims? If not for their wickedness and been sadistic?
“We want to tell all Nigerians that we are up and doing, and are working together with Nigerians. I call on the general public not to associate with these terrorists, inform us anywhere you see them, General Musa said.
The Chief of Staff to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Sani Kila who received the victims on behalf of his boss, said in an interview that non-kinetic measures could be applied in such situations because often times, peaceful dialogue had paved way for the release of Kidnapped victims by terrorists.
“It’s a joyful day for us and their families. Just as the CDS mentioned, we all must be concerned about our security. Our Malams, our Emirates, everybody, we should all be concerned about our security. It was this collaboration that led to this success”, he said.
Victims recount ordeal
Speaking on their ordeal while in captivity, a victim who remained anonymous, said: ”I never thought I would regain freedom, I had already given up.
“I was abducted in August last year and spent a year and two months in captivity. Therefore, thanks be to Almighty Allah, thanks to the government.
“Life in captivity was distasteful. We fed on raw maize, maize combs and wild fruits. We were given a day’s ration to be eaten for two days. I’m so eager to be reunited with my family”, he said.
Another female rescued victim, who remained anonymous, said she was full of joy because she never thought she would be free again.
She said: “They attacked us at home and abducted me and two children. I left my husband in a pool of blood because the terrorists shot his leg.
“Life in captivity was bad, we never envisaged we would return home. This was because anytime our relatives called, the terrorists would be calling humongous figures in Naira which your entire relations cannot raise, to pay the ransom”, she said.
According to reports, there were many other kidnapped victims, allegedly kept in captivity in different parts of the country.
