23 Remaining abducted passengers of Abuja-Kaduna train regain freedom

October 5, (THEWILL) – The remaining twenty-three abducted Abuja/Kaduna train passengers have regained their freedom.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, Professor Usman Yusuf on Wednesday.

The terrorists had attacked the Kaduna-bound train on 28 March, 2022 and captured scores of passengers.

While many had been released on paying huge ransom to the terrorists, 23 abducted passengers remained with the bandits.

The release of the 23 passengers was facilitated by a Seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor.

Yusuf said the remaining victims were released on Wednesday around 4.00 pm on Wednesday.

He noted that the country owed a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish.

Yusuf added that all sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation.

The statement read: “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 CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish”, he said.

“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. May God Almighty Heal Our Wounds and Bring Peace to Our Land.”