Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa has revealed that some individuals are frustrating Nigeria’s efforts to end insurgency, stressing that they will not have their way. He called for public support as the military advances efforts to counter terrorism and secure the nation.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has raised alarm over the presence of saboteurs undermining Nigeria’s fight against insurgency. Speaking in Abuja after receiving 58 rescued kidnap victims from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Gen. Musa stressed that these individuals thwarting government efforts would be brought to justice.
“You can see from the rescued people – women, children, boys and girls, and even infants. Why would anyone abduct such vulnerable people?” Musa questioned, noting the visible distress and frailty of the victims.
Gen. Musa revealed that while many involved in banditry are complicit, some individuals were forcibly recruited, contrary to public belief. He reaffirmed the military’s dedication to ensuring that those responsible for these heinous crimes are prosecuted.
“For the innocent blood they have spilled and the lives they have hindered, the security personnel will get back at them, and they will face the law,” he asserted.
The defence chief further disclosed that no ransom was paid to secure the victims’ release, underscoring the success of non-kinetic strategies that prioritize safe recovery over financial settlements. “It’s a joint effort. We achieved this through non-kinetic measures, and no penny was paid for these individuals,” he confirmed, appealing to Nigerians for continued support in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Center, explained that initial investigations revealed that the 58 victims had been abducted by armed bandits under the command of a notorious terrorist leader, Janbros. Forced to trek for hundreds of kilometers to the remote forests of Birnin Gwari, the victims endured extreme hardship. Government forces provided critical care upon their rescue to ensure their recovery and facilitate their reintegration.
Six victims received emergency medical treatment and have since joined the others for reunification with their families. The Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State Governor, Sani Limankila, urged Nigerians to actively support security efforts, stating, “It’s crucial that every citizen works with security agencies to dismantle the kidnapping networks terrorizing our communities.”
The victims, comprising 35 males and 23 females, were rescued on November 14 by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division. Kidnapped from their homes and farmlands in Gayam, Sabon Layi, and Kwaga villages in Dan Musa LGA, Katsina State, these survivors symbolize the ongoing struggle of innocent Nigerians caught in the crossfire of insecurity.
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