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Terrorists Threatens FG, Says They Will Start Killing Kidnapped Victims Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack
The terrorists hijacked the train going to Kaduna from Abuja on March 28, 2022, after exploding its rail track. During the attack, nine people were killed, several were injured, and over 62 passengers were abducted.
In exchange for the release of the kidnapped passengers, the terrorists had previously requested the release of their top commanders who were being held in government custody.
The threat was made via phone calls by the terrorists’ leader, Abu Barra to Malam Tukur Mamu, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s spokesman, according to The Nation.
Barra stated in the audio conversations that the Federal Government had suspended the rail transportation because of these threats.
He further stated that if security agencies attack them, they will make the Abuja-Kaduna rail route and the Kaduna-Abuja highway unbearable.
He said, “The government suspended the resumption of the train service indefinitely because of our threats and we repeat if our conditions are not met, the resumption of the train service is to the detriment of the government and the passengers.
“We don’t need money. We have a good reason for doing what we did, until our demands are met none of the victims will come out alive even if it means we all die with them. They are well taken care of as you can see from the pictures we sent to you via WhatsApp but we assure you that this will not continue.
“We choose you (Tukur Mamu) to convey this important message to the government, the families of the victims and Nigerians in general because we believe you won’t alter our message and we have seen you severally with Sheikh Gumi in the forest, therefore, we recognized the fearlessness in you”
Barra stated that the kidnapping took place two months ago and that anything might happen to the abducted passengers henceforth.
He went on to say that the abduction was a revenge for the security authorities’ arrest and detention of their children.
“Our children numbering about 8 between the ages of one to seven years are currently being held at an orphanage in Jimeta, Adamawa State under the supervision of the Nigerian Army.
“The names of our children are; Abdulrahman, Bilkisu, Usman, Ibrahim and Juwairiyyah. They were forcefully taken from our wives in Nasarawa and taken to the orphanage in Yola.
“For any continued discussion on the release of these passengers and a safe resumption of the train service, our children must be released unconditionally. Only then we will release some of the abducted victims, especially the women while other passengers will be released on a prisoner exchange with some of our arrested comrades by the government.”
Berra has said that if the government does not answer to their demands within seven days, they will stop feeding the victims and begin killing them one by one; if the government does not respond after that, Nigerians should abandon the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.
He said, “If the government decided not to respond, so be it. We are warning Nigerians, especially those that are patronizing the train, that if this matter is not resolved peacefully, the day they decided to attack us or do anything funny, passengers or commuters should forget to use the train or follow the Abuja-Kaduna road because we will be consistent and they can’t stop us. We believe that you will deliver this message as it is. Therefore, we rely on you and urged you to convey this important message to everyone.”
Malam Tukur Mamu said that he understood the government’s dilemma in addressing the abduction crisis, but that any responsible government will look into protecting the lives of innocent people and making painful compromises where necessary, even if it goes against the administration’s policies.
Malam Mamu then noted that exchanging prisoners with known criminals for national security reasons is a common practice in many affluent countries, including the United States.
He emphasized the importance of avoiding military action that results in collateral damage and the deaths of innocent people.
He said, “Time is not on our side, the government must understand that they are dealing with persons with a misguided ideology and tainted religious belief. These people are not scared of death, they seem to believe that they are martyrs when they die. It will be a serious mistake to take this threat lightly. I believe an opportunity has been created for us to explore to save the lives of those innocent victims.
“For me, if these innocent people will regain their freedom because of my involvement and provided that will lead to relative peace and security on our highways and rail lines I wouldn’t mind if I die in the process. We must accept the fact that security alone on the Abuja-Kaduna highways remains more fragile than ever and the solution is not militarily alone, especially in a country where impending attacks can hardly be dictated and stopped.”
Photo Credit: The Nation
