HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Resuming Abuja-Kaduna train services  without rescuing kidnapped passengers insensitive — family members

296

The families of the over 100 passengers kidnapped by terrorists who attacked the AK-9 train along the Abuja-Kaduna route, have urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) not to resume services until all those held captive are safely rescued.

According to the family members, it would be insensitive for NRC to resume operations on the route with the fate of scores of passengers kidnapped still unknown.

Persecondnews recalls that NRC on Thursday said it had completed work on the damaged portion of the Abuja-Kaduna rail tracks following the terrorists’ attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28.

On March 28, armed terrorists had bombed the tracks and shot at the train with about 970 passengers onboard.

The attack which occurred a few kilometres to Kaduna metropolis had left about eight people dead, dozens injured and about 168 kidnapped by the terrorists.

The terrorists were reported to have detonated bombs on the track and immobilized the train between Katari and Rijana en route to Kaduna.

Addressing a news conference on Monday in Abuja, the families lamented the horrible conditions the abducted passengers, who have spent 42 days in captivity have been forced to live in.

Representatives of the families, Abfulfatai Jimoh and Ba’abba Muhammad said: “Abuja-Kaduna train service should not resume until the quick and safe rescue of our family members held hostage and adequate security measures are put in place to guarantee the safety of prospective passengers.

“This position aligns with the prayers of the majority of Nigerians.

“it has been 42 long days of living in fear, virtually no sleep, no bath, wearing the same clothes, under the scorching sun and rain, and exposed to extreme environmental hazards.

“The emotional, psychological, mental, and physical torture arising from these conditions are only imaginable.

“Among the abducted passengers are children- some as young as three years old, pregnant women, women including an 85-year-old great grandmother, and others.

“Some of these victims have health challenges requiring daily medications, which they have had no access to in the last 42 harrowing days.

“While some families have their breadwinners in captivity, others have their wives, mothers, sisters, brothers, uncles, and aunts held down in the bush.

“This hostage-taking has drastically disrupted the living conditions of affected families. Children are crying everyday, with the only question in their mouths being: When are my Mummy and Daddy coming home? What a miserable state!”

Expressing hope of releasing them soon, the families of the victims also said:

“Since this unfortunate attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound train, we believe the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, alongside his security and intelligence chiefs, have been working to rescue our loved ones.

“We have been given assurances that a positive outcome of these efforts would be apparent soon.”

They further expressed disappointment with the manner the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has been handling the tragic event.

“We must, however, register our displeasure with the way and manner the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has been handling this tragic event since it occurred.

“Just a few days after 28th March, Mr. Amaechi was seen running around the Stadium in Port Harcourt where he declared his intention to become the next President of Nigeria.

“We had expected Mr. Amaechi to be running around as to how to get his abducted passengers rescued, and this is highly disappointing.

“Mr. President also directed the Management of NRC to establish a Situation Room to give a minute-by-minute account of rescue efforts to relatives of kidnapped passengers.

“Still, one week after this Presidential directive was issued, NRC has neither contacted the relatives of kidnapped victims nor established any Situation Room as directed by the President.

“This display of gross incompetence and insensitivity should lead to the appropriate punishment.

“Furthermore, we sought the intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly, which is the people’s court, but nothing has been forthcoming from them.

“We want to extend our profound gratitude to Nigerians, elder statesmen, traditional, religious, and community leaders, and the Nigerian media who have lent their strong voices to this struggle both in the open and behind the scene and their prayers for divine intervention.

“We still need this vital support until success is achieved,” they stressed.

Also speaking with newsmen, spokesperson for the families, Hidayiat Yusuf, disclosed that they are “ready to negotiate with the terrorists if they are willing.”

“If it is money they want, they should come forward and say so.”

Persecondnews recalls that the National Assembly had last week passed a bill criminalizing ransom payment in the country but has yet to be assented to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Power grid failure: Nigeria plunged into darkness again

For the umpteenth time, a system collapse hit Nigeria’s national grid on...

Over 2,500 Erosion Sites, Rising Unemployment Plague South East – SEDC MD

Mr. Mark Okoye, the Managing Director/CEO of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC),...

EU, Germany Unveil Joint Initiative to Enhance Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Capacity

The European Union (EU) and Germany have launched a country window initiative...

FG Targets Lower Food Costs with Increased Investments in Agricultural Sector

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment toward lowering the cost of...

Rotatory Presidency: Power ‘Ii return to North after Tinubu’s potential re-election in 2027 – APC Chair Ganduje

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),...

Real Madrid Stun City at the Etihad with Late Comeback in Champions League Play-off

By Samuel Akpan with agency report Manchester City’s hopes of advancing in...

NNPCL Chief, Kyari, Unveils Strategic Priorities for Africa’s Sustainable Energy Development

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum...

.EFCC arraigns man in court for rejecting Naira as legal currency

For allegedly refusing to accept the Naira as a legal tender and...

House of Reps appoints new deputy chief whip

Following the passing away of former Deputy Chief Whip Adewunmi Onanuga, the...

Alleged N20bln fraud: Court grants Ex-AMCON boss, Kuru N50m bail, adjourns until March 7

Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja,...

Five months after cabinet reshuffle: Tinubu orders ministers to render account of stewardship

President Bola Tinubu has directed his ministers to provide an immediate account...

Updated: CBN Increases ATM Fees, Scraps Free Withdrawal Policy

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant revision to...

Africa Must Prioritize Energy Access Amid Global Transition, says Petroleum Minister Lokpobiri

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has said...

Reps Call for Military Intervention in Borno Communities Amid Boko Haram Resurgence

Following recent Boko Haram attacks that left scores of people killed and...

Flying Eagles Return to Camp for Egypt Friendlies Ahead of U20 AFCON

Ahead of AFCON, Nigeria’s U20 boys and seven-time African champions, the Flying...

Just in: CBN Introduces New ATM Transaction Fees Effective March 1

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a review of transaction...

Unresolved crisis: PDP suffers another defection as House of Reps member joins APC

Rep. Amos Magaji (Jaba/Zango Kataf Federal Constituency, Kaduna) of the Federal House...

Three weeks after vandalism, TCN begins repairs of Abuja transmission line

Three weeks after vandals damaged an underground transmission line near Millennium Park...

Daniel Bwala opens up on his past vociferous criticism of Tinubu’s govt.

Mr. Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications,...

Supreme Court ruling fails to resolve Rivers Assembly leadership crisis

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has clarified that the Supreme Court’s decision...