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Although he had since withdrawn as negotiator, Mamu said, “It’s true that three victims were released today (Monday).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.”
