Bandits release seven more kidnapped train passengers

Seven of the passengers abducted in an attack on a train in Kaduna have regained their freedom.

Tukur Mamu, media consultant to Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, who has been in the forefront of negotiations for the release of the victims, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the freed abductees included a family of six,  adding that they were released on Wednesday morning.

“This is to confirm to the world that due to Sheikh Gumi’s efforts and with the support of a serving senator from the North, (a God fearing personality that doesn’t have any relationship with the hostages), who chose to remain anonymous, that the family of six regained their freedom on Wednesday morning,” the statement reads.

Aside from the family, 60-year-old Aisha Hassan was also freed due to “life-threatening health challenges”.

The other freed passengers were identified as “Abubakar Idris Garba; his wife, Maryama Abubakar Bobbo; their four children — Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, aged 10; Fatima Abubakar Garba, aged 7; Imran Abubakar Garba, aged 5; and the youngest, Zainab Abubakar Garba, aged 1”.

Mamu said Abubakar is the son of Idris Garba, a retired major general of the Nigerian Army and an indigene of Niger state, who served as military administrator of Kano and Benue states during the regime of Ibrahim Babangida.

The media aide, who is also publisher of Desert Herald, did not, however, state if ransom was paid.

According to him, Gumi prayed for the release of the remaining victims and urged government to intensify efforts towards securing their freedom.

On March 28, the insurgents attacked a train heading for Kaduna from Abuja, which led to the death of some passengers.

In June, 11 of the abductees were released.

In July, seven of the abducted passengers were freed — Sadiq, son of Ango Abdullahi, chairman of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), was among the seven victims released.

On August 2, five abducted passengers were released.