By John Ikani
Terrorists have released 23 remaining captives of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack six months after they were kidnapped on Monday, March 28, 2022.
Prof. Usman Yusuf Secretary, Chief of Defense Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), announced this in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.
The statement reads: “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General L E O Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.
“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation.”
“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is what made it all possible.
“Members of this Committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this Humanitarian Operation.”
It would be recalled that the terrorists attacked the AK-9 Abuja-Kaduna train passengers in March led to loss of many lives including security operatives on the train.
The terrorists planted explosive devices along the rail track and when the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK-9 passenger train approached the point, the device exploded, causing the train to derail.
They went on to abduct over 60 passengers. Millions of naira were said to have been paid in ransom to secure the release of the victims in batches.
The government had since suspended Abuja-Kaduna train service and promised to facilitate the release of all the victims in captivity.
