Terrorists that abducted the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers on March 28 have freed another three hostages, The PUNCH has learnt.
It was learnt that while three hostages were released on Monday, one victim had earlier regained freedom about a week ago.
The release of three persons on Monday came barely 24 hours after the terrorists, in a video, threatened to abduct the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, senators and other top government officials.
Tukur Mama, Publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald newspaper and Media Consultant to Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, confirmed the release of the four abducted passengers.
Those released were Mrs Gladys Brumen, Oluwatoyin Ojo, Hassan Lawan and Pastor Ayodeji Oyewumi.
Although he had since withdrawn as negotiator, Mamu said, “It’s true that three victims were released today (Monday). Even before today, about a week ago, one of the victims was also released. I can tell you there is no single intervention of the government.
“Credible source informed me that the families were left to deal directly with the terrorists and then negotiate their release which is unfortunate because if the government is discouraging the payment of ransom and at the same time allowing the families to deal directly with the abductors, that’s even encouraging the payment of ransom.”
Also, while reacting to the release of the three victims, leader of the victims’ families, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, told The PUNCH that, “We are very happy and we thank God on the release of three more victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. We hope and pray for the release of the remaining abducted passengers very soon.”
Families protest
Meanwhile, protesting families of the abducted passengers on Monday grounded activities at the Ministry of Transportation in Abuja.
The families, who defied the early morning rain, stormed the ministry at 6am and formed a human blockade at the entrance gate.
The action of the protesters forced some staff members of the ministry to return home while others were seen loitering around till 1pm when our correspondent left the scene.
Speaking during the protest, Ibrahim Ahmed, called on the government to promptly see to the release of their loved ones, adding that further delay could be dangerous.
He said they would continue to protest until the government comes to their rescue.
Another family member, who gave her name as Matilda, said the pain of watching her loved one being tortured in a video released by the terrorists, was traumatic.
She demanded that the families be carried along in whatever efforts the government is making.
FG speaks
Reacting, the Federal Government on Monday said securing the release of the train passengers still held captive by terrorists was a priority to the current administration.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, stated this while addressing families of the abducted passengers.
“The government has not been sleeping from the enquiries I have made. There are some things you do not say in public, but I want you to give me time,” the minister was quoted as saying in a statement issued in Abuja by the ministry.
He added, “Let me resume properly in this office and I promise you, this will be the first issue I am going to tackle by the grace of God.”
Sambo requested for the contacts, names, addresses and telephone numbers that he could reach, promising that he would be in constant engagement until every person in captivity regain freedom and reunite with their families.
