No fewer than 11 passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train abducted by terrorists on March 28, 2022, have regained freedom.

It was gathered that 11 abductees, comprising six females and five males, were released by the gunmen on Saturday.

The latest development was confirmed by the Publisher of Desert Herald, Tukur Mamu, who served as a mediator.

Mamu, who spoke to The Star, disclosed that popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, was influential in the release of the abducted train passengers.

He further commended President Muhammadu Buhari for understanding the gravity of the crisis and for giving directives to the security agencies in the country, adding that the Nigerian Army and the Department of the State Service (DSS) played a crucial role in the release of the abductees.

Those released on Saturday include Jessy John, Amina Ba’aba Mohammed (Gamba), Rashida Yusuf Busari, Hannah Ajewole, and Amina Jibril.

Others are Najib Mohammed Daiharu, Gaius Gambo, Hassan Aliyu, Peace A. Boy, Danjuma Sa’idu, and one other.

The male victims, according to an inside source that pleaded anonymity, were released on health grounds as part of the request made by the negotiating team while the women whom are among the vulnerable were part of the agreement reached with the abductors.

READ ALSO: Train attack: Osinbajo’s classmate, others beg FG for release

Since the incident occurred in March, the terrorists have released videos and pictures showing the abductees in captivity.

The assailants have since released two people, one of them, the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture Alwan Hassan, who was said to have paid about N100million, and a pregnant woman, who was reportedly released on compassionate ground.

Family members of the kidnapped victims had called on the government to ensure the freedom of the abductees.

In his reaction, President Buhari assured families of the abducted train passengers that efforts were ongoing to ensure they regain freedom from bandits’ captivity.

Buhari, while receiving some residents of the Federal Capital Territory at the State House on May 2, said the Federal Government would explore every opportunity to secure the kidnapped train passengers are rescued alive and unhurt.

The Star