FG moves for abducted train passengers release, opens talks with abductors

More than two weeks after terrorists abducted scores of passengers of Abuja-Kaduna train, the Federal Government has commenced discussions with the abductors to secure the release of the victims.

Relatives of the victims confirmed this to journalists on Friday in Kaduna, saying the information was relayed to them by the Minister of Information, Mai Mohammed.

At least nine people were killed and over 60 abducted when terrorists planted explosives along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, which detailed the train.
The terrorists had then opened fire on the train before abducting dozens of passengers on the evening of March 28, 2022.
However, nine days after the attack, the terrorists released the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, after he reportedly paying N100 million ransom.
Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, the relatives and friends of the abducted passengers on Friday said they had been assured by the Federal Government that the channel of discussions with the terrorists had been opened.
“After the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, we heard from the Federal Government through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed that the government is in dialogue. That government is already discussing with the abductors of our relatives,” said Dr Jimoh Fatai, who has been designated as chairman of the group pressing for the release of their loved ones.
“We are happy about it, we note it, we acknowledge it and we appreciate the efforts of the government in that regard. What we are now appealing for is that government should speed up the process,” he said.
The relatives had earlier issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian Government to open discussions that would see to the release of the captives.
Fatai said since the initial contact, the terrorists had yet to contact them on the condition of their loved ones.
He expressed concern that the captives could be going through untold hardship especially during the rainy season.
The group warned the Nigerian Railway Corporation against any attempt to resume the Abuja-Kaduna train service, stressing that priority should be on the safety and release of those in captivity.
“The NRC should not be in a hurry to resume its service because we don’t want a recurrence of what happened. Priority for now should be on bringing back our people who are in captivity home,” he said.