One of the abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train, who were kidnapped by terrorists on March 28, 2022, has been shot dead by the gunmen.
The victim, identified as Mohammed Al’Amin, was said to have been shot dead on Monday.
According to the Publisher of Desert Herald, Tukur Mamu, who served as a mediator between the terrorists and the Federal Government, Al’Amin was killed during a gun battle in the forest between the abductors that are guarding the victims and preventing them from possible escape.
Mamu added: “Such an incident that resulted in the shooting could also be intentional from them for the purpose of sending a message. Killing of their victims is something we know they can do.
“They have threatened to do that before. Government must be prepared to take full responsibility if they didn’t act fast.
“There has been communication constantly but government is yet to take a decision. I know what is in this crisis and that is why I keep emphasising that President Buhari must be prepared to take painful decisions, painful compromises if they are really committed to securing this innocent victims alive.
“With what we have succeeded in doing, the windows and opportunity we opened which there’s none hitherto, the government has the power to bring this to an end within three to four days.
“I assure them we can do it with their support and cooperation, and if it didn’t happen as long as government do the needful I will agree and accept to take full responsibility.
READ ALSO: Buhari orders increased efforts to rescue abducted train passengers
“Cases of emergency such as this doesn’t require unnecessary bureaucracy. I can confirm to you that the said passenger has been shot,” he said.
This is coming barely a few weeks after the terrorists released 11 of the abductees.
The Star had reported that the 11 abductees released by the terrorists comprised six females and five males.
Mamu, who spoke to The Star on the release of the victims, 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.
Buhari later ordered security agencies to increase their efforts to rescue the abducted passengers.
Buhari’s directive was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Shehu stated that upon President Buhari’s approval, the Federal Government is continuing on the two-lane approach, kinetic and non-kinetic to secure the passengers’ safe release.
The presidential spokesman further disclosed that the abductors made a demand for the release of their members, adding that upon the settlement of that issue, the terrorists released 11 abducted train passengers.
He added that the Defence, Security and Intelligence Agencies gave assurance to intensify operational engagements geared towards securing the rescue of all hostages and restoring peace to all parts of the country.
- N10m extortion: IGP vows punishment for corrupt police officers - November 8, 2024
- Kaduna govt earmarks N93bn to boost water supply - November 8, 2024
- Trump picks campaign manager as White House chief of staff - November 8, 2024
