Five hostages who were taken to hostages by terrorists on March 28 aboard the Abuja-Kaduna train have been freed by terrorists, Tuesday.
It is however not clear if any ransome was paid to the terrorists before they released the abducted victims.
Last week, the terrorists released three victims, a female and two males, threatening to kill the rest if the Muhammadu Buhari administration fails to heed to their demands.
Although security agencies are yet to confirm the development, a member of the negotiating team, Alhaji Tukur Mamu, the image maker to the Sheik Abubakar Gumi, told some journalists that the victims were released on Tuesday.
He gave the names of the released hostages as Prof. Mustapha Umar Imam, who is medical doctor at the Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto; Alhaji Akibu Lawal, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed Rufai, Alhaji Mukthar Shu’aibu and Alhaji Sidi Aminu Sharif.
Mamu, who said that he played prominent role that led to the release of the victims, said he had backed out due to threats to his life, personal integrity and lack of support from the Federal Government.
So far, 37 victims have regained their freedom. The number of those still in captivity stands at 35.
Gunmen had on March 28 planted dynamite which blew up the rail track around the notorious town of Kajuru, killing some and abducting scores of passengers, a situation that called for serious concern about the safety of the nation’s trains.
Tuesday’s release took place after a few days three of the victims were freed by the terrorists.
Last week, the terrorists released a viral video where they were seen brutally flogging their hostages. They also threatened to abduct President Buhari and the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai.
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