Terrorists Release 7 Hostages From Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack 

Seven hostages, who were kidnapped off the Kaduna-Abuja train on March 28, have been freed.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Tukur Mamu, Publisher of the Kaduna-based Desert Herald and Media Consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a contentious Islamic cleric, verified their release to media in Kaduna.

A family of six and a lady is among the seven hostages freed by the terrorists.

 Abubakar Idris Garba, his wife Maryam Abubakar Bobo, and their eldest child, Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, who is 10 years old, are the names of the six people who have been released.

Tukur Mamu, the publisher of the Kaduna-based Desert Herald and media advisor to notorious Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, confirmed their publication to journalists in Kaduna.

Others include Zainab Abubakar Garba, the youngest, who is just one and a half years old, Imran Abubakar Garba, who is five, and Fatima Abubakar Garba, who is seven.

The National Assembly Service Commission’s Abubakar Idris Garba is a member of staff and the descendant of a previous military governor of the states of Kano and Benue.

 A 60-year-old lady named Hajia Aisha Hassan was also discharged, allegedly as a result of lately deteriorating life-threatening health issues.

Are captives paying terrorists a ransom: Recall that the militants who attacked the train on March 28 in Kaduna State freed the 7 abducted passengers last month.

On Saturday, July 9, 2022, a victim who was one of 7 train passengers freed the previous month claimed that they had sold their homes to acquire the cash.

The victim, who prefers that his name not be used, further said that each of them gave the terrorists the equivalent of N100 million in dollars.

Only one of them, a Pakistani national, reportedly paid N200 million to be released, according to him.

After more than a hundred days in captivity, the victims were freed by their kidnappers on Saturday.

The abducted victims were freed as a result of communication and negotiation with the terrorists, according to Mr. Tukur Mamu, a member of the negotiating team and media consultant to Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi.