Seven captives of the AK9 Abuja- Kaduna train, a couple with their four teenage children and another 60-year-old woman with failing health, were on Wednesday released by the terrorists who abducted them on March 28, 2022.
Publisher of Desert Herald Newspaper, and Media Consultant to Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, Malam Tukur Mamu (Dan-Iyan Fika), while announcing their release in a press statement, said the seven captives regained their freedom from the bandits following intervention by the Kaduna based scholar, Gumi.
“Disturbed by the gory videos images of four teenage children belonging to same family he saw in the last video released by the attackers of the AK9 Train, Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi, for the first since the abduction of the innocent passengers of that train over 4 months ago, has reached out to the abductors through his Media Consultant, sent Allah’s messages to them and consistently pleaded with them to consider the release of the poor children and their innocent parents.
“It was learnt that the health condition of two of the teenage children has deteriorated since the flogging incidence that affected their helpless father. The father of the four kids is a staff of the National Assembly Commission. There was no intervention from the Commission or NASS on his behalf since the travails begun.
“This is to confirm to the world that due to Sheikh Gumi’s efforts and with the support of a serving Senator from the North, (a God fearing personality that doesn’t have any relationship with the hostages) who chose to remained anonymous, that all the family of six have regained their freedom on Wednesday morning. Also released is a 60 year old woman, one Hajiya Aisha Hassan who was said to have been released due to life threatening health challenges that deteriorated recently.
“The names of the six family members that were released are Abubakar Idris Garba who is the father of the four kids, his wife Maryama Abubakar Bobbo and their eldest son, Ibrahim Abubakar Garba who is 10-year-old. Others include Fatima Abubakar Garba 7-year-old, Imran Abubakar Garba 5-years-old and youngest Zainab Abubakar Garba who is only one and half years. The husband, Abubakar is the son of Maj. Gen. Idris Garba (rtd).
“Gen. Garba who is now bedridden is an indigene of Niger state and was a former Military Administrator of Kano and Benue states during the administration of former Head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
“Sheikh Gumi had also prayed for the immediate release of the remaining victims and urged government to intensify efforts towards achieving that. He said the delay in releasing the remaining victims is unnecessary and one that is achievable once the right approach has been taken,” Mamu said.
Meanwhile, terrorists on Tuesday night revisited the family of Chairman of Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, abducting his daughter-in-law and her four children.
This was coming barely a month after one of Ango’s sons, Sadiq was released by terrorists who ab ducted him on the AK9 Abuja- Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.
Prof. Abdullahi, while confirming the incident said, “My daughter-in-law, Ramatu Samaila, was among the abductees including her four children. She is the wife of my son who is the village head of Yakawada.”
Blueprint learnt that the terrorists invaded Yakawada village in Giwa Local Government of Kaduna state on Tuesday night and immediately stormed the residence of Alhaji Rilwanu Saidu Samaila, the village head.
After abducting the village head’s immediate family members, they also kidnapped some members of the monarch’s neighbour at their residence.
“They also went to the residence of the neighbour to the village head and kidnapped the head of the family, Abubakar Mijinyawa along with his two wives, Aisha and Hajara. The two wives were both nursing mothers who were abducted with their little babies,” he said.
The bandits also killed one patrol guard, Aminu Lawal, during the attack, leaving three people injured.
Those who sustained injuries in the attack, were rushed to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria for treatment.
