Some of the relatives and close family members of the remaining 51 Abuja-Kaduna train attack victims who were abducted by some bandits have on Friday, pleaded with the Federal Government of Nigeria to put in speedy implementations to help with the rescue of the victims.
In a press statement which was issued in Kaduna, some of the leaders of the abducted victims’ relatives, Dr. AbdulFatai Jimoh and Dr. Ba’aba Muhammad had reiterated that though they appreciated the release of 11 victims, more was still needed to be done to ensure the safe return of the remaining ones who have spent over 90 days with bandits in the forest.
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Africa Daily News, New York had reported that bandits had abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers on March 28, 2022, after killing nine, wounding some 21 others.
The relatives of the victims had also revealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria that the health of many of the hostages was failing.
The statement further stated that since the abduction, the pain had also pushed some relatives into depression with suicidal thoughts.
The statement said, “we cannot wait to see the end of this nightmare. Our hearts were gladdened on Tuesday, 21st June 2022, when Mr. President issued fresh orders to security chiefs to spare no effort in freeing the remaining 50 hostages ‘alive and in the shortest time possible.’ Our joy will know no bounds if this presidential directive is given accelerated action that results in a positive outcome.”
They commended the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff and other Service Chiefs, as well as Nigerians in seeing to the return of their loved ones.
It had been previously reported that the lead negotiator who mediated and successfully secured the release of 11 victims of the March train attack by terrorists, whose name has been given as Malam Tukur Mamu, has revealed that the remaining victims in captivity may die in weeks due to constant snake bites and other life-threatening illnesses.
Mamu went on to appeal to government authorities to act fast in rescuing the victims, said ‘most of the remaining victims of the train attack may hardly survive the next few weeks due to their deteriorating health condition and the inhuman condition they are subjected to in the forest.’
He however, threatened that ‘with the window of mediation I succeeded in opening and for building limited confidence between the government and the abductors, coupled with the success of securing the release of the 11 victims, I have done my part and i will no longer be part of any engagement regarding this issue for personal reasons.’
