Why we released Agric Bank MD from captivity- Bandits

By Akinwande Soji-Ojo

The bandits behind the attack on Abuja- Kaduna train have said they released acting Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Always Hassan because of his “old age.”

Hassan was released on Wednesday after spending nine days in captivity.

He was declared missing following the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28. The train, which took off from Abuja was attacked in Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna State around 8pm.

In a video clip obtained by Daily Trust, one of the gunmen was quoted to have said the BOA MD begged to be released.

“We are responsible for the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train some days ago.

“This man here (BoA MD), by Allah’s grace and his persistent plea for mercy – seeing that he is old, we pitied him.

“[Also] because of the month of Ramadan we brought him out and we will hand him over to his relatives. The government should know what it is into. We are releasing this man because we pitied him,” the man was quoted to have said in Hausa.

Hassan confirmed that he was being allowed to go because they had compassion on him.

“I want to confirm that I have been pitied and asked to go,” the BOA MD said when he was directed to speak.

“I have left a lot of people behind and they are in a condition where they need help and saving them should be prioritised.

“I hope the government will contact the leadership of this group and facilitate their release in time,” Hassan added.

As of April 3, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said it had confirmed the safety of 186 passengers, while 22 persons were missing.