JUST IN: ANOTHER THREE KADUNA TRAIN ATTACK VICTIMS REGAIN FREEDOM
Three of the 62 hostages taken on March 28 on the train from Abuja to Kaduna by terrorists have been freed.
At around 11 a.m. on Monday, the victims—two males and a female—got their freedom.
They were reportedly released by the jihadists at a place inside a woodland near the Kaduna-Abuja highway, according to information obtained by the press.
They were then picked up by their family members from there.
22 victims have so far gotten their freedom back.
However, it is unclear if any cash was given to the terrorists in exchange for the release of their kidnapped victims.
The three victims have since been freed, leaving 40 people who are still being held captive.
On March 28, gunmen detonated a rail track, killing some people and kidnapping dozens of passengers. This incident raised serious questions about the safety of the nation’s trains.
President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security agencies to save the victims as the Nigeria Railway Corporation momentarily paused operations out of concern for the situation.
On Sunday, the terrorists released a viral video where they were seen flogging their hostages. They also threatened to abduct President Buhari and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The presidency reacted to the threat hours after, accusing the insurgents of using propaganda to compel the government to yield to their demands.
In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said security forces are not helpless in stemming the tide of insecurity confronting the country.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Shehu said President Muhammadu Buhari has been supporting security agencies by boosting their morale and providing the needed equipment.
He said, “The Presidency, in the meantime wishes to reassure the public that the President has done all, and even more than what is expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military and expects nothing short of good results in the immediate.”