27 abducted train passengers not yet released, says Negotiator

A total of 27 remaining abducted train passengers are still being held by their captors, a Kaduna-based publisher and former negotiator, Malam Tukur Mamu, has said.

He was on Tuesday reacting to reports of their release by military authorities trending on social media since Monday, saying in a statement that the hostages were still in captivity.

He stated, “Though I have disengaged myself from negotiating, anxious family members, pressmen and concerned Nigerians have been calling to confirm the veracity of the news.

“While many others justifiably have been celebrating and even congratulating relatives of the innocent victims.”

Mamu who is also Sheikh Ahmed Gumi’s spokesman noted that though “it is news we are all praying earnestly to hear, it is highly irresponsible for peddlers of FAKE NEWS to circulate sensitive contents that are not only unverifiable, untrue but news items that will certainly trigger anxiety and concern among the family members of those that remain in captivity and millions of their well-wishers across the globe.

“The condition of the remaining victims is still very bad, many of them are sick, and the rainy season is affecting them so much.

“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify efforts in securing their release immediately as the situation remains highly unpredictable while the families of those that are still in the bush are incapacitated in whatever way to negotiate the safe release of their loved ones, he declared.”

Over 60 passengers of an Abuja-Kaduna train were abducted by terrorists who attacked their train near Kaduna and killed about eight other passengers.

The terrorists have released other passengers in batches after the relatives of  the victims reportedly paid undisclosed amount as ransom.