Train attack: 23 remaining passengers freed — after 191 days in captivity

The federal government says 23 passengers still in captivity after an attack on a train in Kaduna have regained their freedom.

Usman Yusuf, secretary, chief of defence staff action committee (CDSAC), announced the development in a statement on Wednesday.

The development comes more than six months after the attack.

According to the statement, a seven-member presidential committee assembled by Lucky Irabor, chief of defence staff, secured the release of the 23 passengers on Wednesday.

“I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General L.E.O. Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022,” the statement reads.

On March 28, an attack on a train on its way to Kaduna from Abuja resulted in killings, injuries and abductions.

A total of 61 persons were said to have been kidnapped during the attack.

The kidnap victims have been released at various intervals, including 11 freed in June, seven in July, and 12 persons in August.