The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is facing heavy backlash on X after the reported rescue of Ahmad Zakka, his wife and their six-month-old daughter Fatima, who were abducted in Millennium City, Kaduna. While many Nigerians celebrated their freedom, others are asking tough questions about selective rescue operations by the tactical team.
In a viral post tagging NSA Nuhu Ribadu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a user asked: “Does the ONSA only save the ones that trended the most? The tactical team failed to rescue a pregnant mother who was taken on the same day as Ahmad Zakka and family. The tactical team have overlooked 78 Borno children abducted 154 days ago. MUST OUR LIVES CARRY A HASHTAG BEFORE WE ARE SECURED?”
The Zakka family had gained national attention after a video emerged of Ahmad pleading for help while holding his crying baby, with bandits demanding N300 million ransom. They were freed after a security operation involving the military and ONSA tactical team. However, critics point out that a pregnant woman kidnapped on the same day in the same axis was not rescued, and 78 children abducted in Borno 154 days ago remain in captivity without similar high-profile intervention.
Why is it trending? The post has struck a chord because it highlights a long-standing fear among Nigerians — that security response in Nigeria is driven by virality, not urgency. For many users on X, the question is simple: “Mr President all we are asking for is a SAFE COUNTRY, PROTECT OUR LIVES AND BRING THESE CRIMINALS TO BOOK.” The conversation is now moving beyond celebration of one rescue to demand accountability for all victims still held.
Peter K. is the Editor at XTrend.ng. He tracks what’s trending across politics, metro and pop culture — and tells the story as it is. With years in digital media, he leads the XTrend newsroom with a focus on speed, accuracy and street-smart reporting.
