>
The terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, have released 11 out of the remaining 61 abducted passengers, after almost three months in captivity.
Alhaji Tukur Mamu, the negotiator and media consultant to controversial cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the 11 victims were released on Saturday
Mamu, in the latest edition of the Kaduna-based newspaper, Desert Herald, confirmed that contrary to “earlier commitment to release all the women in their custody, a total number of 11 victims were released on Saturday, 11th June, 2022. They include six females and five males.”
The victims released by the bandits include Jessy John, Amina Ba’aba Mohammed (Gamba), Rashida Yusuf Busari, Hannah Ajewole and Amina Jibril, Najib Mohammed Daiharu, Gaius Gambo, Hassan Aliyu, Peace A. Boy and Danjuma Sa’idu.
According to the paper, those released have been flown to Abuja on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari
for medical evaluation and treatment before the decision to reunite them with their families.
The paper quoted an insider as saying that the male victims were released on health grounds as part of the request made by the negotiating team while “the women who are among the vulnerable are part of the agreement reached with the abductors.”
Mamu, who is the publisher of the paper said: “We have succeeded in building confidence now. We will do everything to sustain it in the interest of the innocent victims that are still in captivity.
“It’s a painful and frustrating process but it must be done if we are to secure the precious lives of the remaining victims.
“The good news is our collective efforts have succeeded in securing the release of 11 of the victims so far. With the continued support of the FG all the remaining victims will be released soon Insha Allah.
“President Buhari must be commended for understanding the gravity of the crisis and for giving directives to the security agencies. The CDS, Gen. Irabor has done excellently well under the circumstances. The Army and the DSS have played a crucial role. There is no military solution to this predicament.
“But behind the scene, Sheikh Gumi by Allah’s will made it possible. He was involved from the day I started. In fact, I accepted that role because of his directives to that effect. Even the final arrangement of how and the safest place to get the victims was arranged and coordinated by him.”
He said the urgent priority now for the government is how to safely secure the release of the remaining victims.