Gift Wada
One of the passengers on the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train, which was attacked by terrorists have been shot by his captors, according to Tukur Mamu, a negotiator for the release of the victims who have been in captivity for three months.
The victim, identified as Mohammed Al’amin, is said to be in critical condition. Mamu, a publisher of Kaduna-based newspaper, Desert Herald who disclosed this in one of this in his latest publication said he has been in constant communication with the captives, but government is yet to take action.
According to Mamu, the incident occurred on Monday during friendly exchanges of fire at the forest between the abductors that are guarding the victims and preventing them from possible escape.
“I can confirm to you that the said passenger has been shot and the information is credible. It could also be intentional from them, for the purpose of sending a message. Killing of their victims is something we know they can do. They have threatened to do that before”, he said.
“I pleaded with the abductors on Tuesday to free the victim that was shot whom they said is in a critical condition to allow the government to treat his emergency case but they vehemently refused, insisting that they will not entertain any demand except government attend to theirs too,” Mamu added.
Mamu further said the government must be prepared to take full responsibility if they fail to act on time.
“I know what is in this crisis and that is why I keep emphasising that President Buhari must be prepared to take painful compromises if they are really committed to securing these innocent victims alive.
“With what we have succeeded in doing, the windows and opportunity we opened which there’s none hitherto, the government has the power to bring this to an end within three to four days.
About two weeks ago, the negotiator disclosed that 11 passengers were released by the terrorists.
On March 28, the terrorists bombed the ill-fated train, killed many passengers and abducted at least 62 persons. The terrorist had threatened to kill the abducted passengers if the government fail to meet their demands.
Parts of the demands were the unconditional release of their detained children held in an orphanage home in Adamawa State under strict supervision of the Nigerian Army as well as the release of their detained comrade at arms.
Families of the victims have repeatedly decried government’s inaction as the authorities is yet to take any significant step to secure release of the abductees.
Credit/BD