Seven additional passengers abducted by terrorists during the March 28,2022 attack on the Abuja/Kaduna AK9 train were yesterday set free, 103 days after.
Their release was facilitated by newspaper publisher, Mallam Tukur Mamu, who also played a key role in the June 11 release of 11 other passengers.
Mamu is an ally of popular Islamic scholar,Sheik Abubakar Gumi.
Freed yesterday were Sadiq Abdullahi,son of former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University,Professor Ango Abdullahi;Pakistani national Dr. Muhammad Abuzar Afzal; Bosede Olurotimi; Abubakar Zubairu; Alhassan Sule; Muhammad Daiyabu Paki; and Aliyu Usman.
Mamu confirmed the release of the hostages yesterday ,saying it came about through his instrumentality “with the full support and prayers of my principal, Sheikh Gumi.”
He added: That is why I keep emphasising that government has the power to end the agony of these innocent victims in one day.
“This is just one individual that sacrifice his life and even integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria. When you sincerely engage these guys, even though wicked with misguided religious belief, they listen. I have sufficient evidence to prove that they do listen. It is this power of engagement and sincerity that resulted in the release of these seven victims.
“In whatever I do I don’t need or require any reward from anybody but from Allah. I hope the nation we sacrifice our lives for will recognise us.
“The seven rescued victims have been handed over to the military and are now on their way to Kaduna.
“The location the abductors gave is remote, sensitive and risky. There was a military checkpoint before penetrating the forest. My team was stopped by the soldiers but when we told the military our mission, they contacted the GOC and he immediately gave approval for us to proceed. And after the victims were successfully evacuated, travelling through over 40 kilometers in the forest, they were given military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint.”
Mamu who had threatened to back out of negotiation with the terrorists after the June 11 release of some of the abductors said he had to reconsider his position following massive pressure from the relations of other abductees especially after the gunmen threatened to start killing the captives within seven days should government fail to meet their demands including the release of their children, said to be in the custody of the Nigerian army.
Mamu said the release of victims has vindicated Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi about what the power of mediation can achieve.
The abductors had on May 24, issued a threat to start killing the captives within seven days should government fail to meet their demands including the release of their children, who he said are in the custody of the Nigerian army.
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