Buhari praises military for release of train captives

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the military and other security agencies for the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists.

His message came a few hours after news broke out that the hostages had been freed through the efforst of the military, about six months after they were abducted.

This is contained in a statement signed late Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘President Buhari welcomes release of train hostages, urges military to sustain momentum.

The Abuja-Kaduna passenger train was attacked by the terrorists on March 28, 2022 and eight of the travelers were killed, many injured and others abducted.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, confirmed that the Nigerian military secured the release of the remaining 23 hostages.

In his reaction, Buhari said the nation owed the military and all other security and intelligence agencies a debt of gratitude for the successful conduct of the operation leading to the release of the hostages, saying that these agencies had shown outstanding capabilities over this period that the whole world will not fail to take note of.

“I commend them for this remarkable outcome,” said the President in a reaction to the news of the safe release of the hostages in line with his earlier directives.

“This country’s Armed Forces are as good as any. Given needed support and encouragement as we have been doing, there is no task that they cannot accomplish. I commend them for this remarkable outcome,” the President said.

Buhari also congratulated the families of the victims for having their loved ones back alive and expressed satisfaction with the successful deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic processes leading to the eventual safe release of the remaining hostages.

According to him, the relief that comes to the nation arising from the closure of the six-month saga must be sustained at all times.

The President also credited his government for resolving the issue and the de-escalation of the terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the country, promising to sustain the efforts.