Train attack: Terrorists free more hostages

After more than 100 days in captivity, bandits that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train have released another set of seven hostages in their custody.

Malam Tukur Mamu, one of the negotiators and media consultant to controversial Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi said through his singular efforts, he successfully negotiated the release of “another seven victims.”

Mamu noted that despite his resolve to withdraw completely due to frustrations, he had been under pressure from notable family members of the victims to reconsider his “stand in view of the respect and confidence the abductors have in his ability to sincerely engage in dialogue.”

According to Mamu, the seven hostages set free by the terrorists on Saturday, are Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule and Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki, Aliyu Usman as well as the only foreign national from Pakistan, Dr. Muhammad Abuzar Afzal.

He added that the seven released hostages had been handed over to the military and that they were on their way to Kaduna.

He said, “I want to assure the nation that everything that was achieved today was singlehandedly initiated and arranged by me with the full support and prayers of my principal, Sheikh Gumi.

“That is why I keep emphasising that government has the power to end the agony of these innocent victims in one day. This is just one individual that sacrifice his life and even integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria.

“When you sincerely engage them these guys, even though wicked with misguided religious beliefs, they are listening. I have sufficient evidence to prove that they do listen. It is this power of engagement and sincerity that resulted to the release of these seven victims.

“In whatever I do, I don’t need or require any reward from anybody but from Allah, but I hope the nation we sacrificed our lives for will recognise us.”