Train attackers release seven more hostages

Bandits kill Immigration officer in Jigawa

The terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train, killed nine passengers and kidnapped 63 others on March 28, 2022 have released seven more hostages, including a family of six.

Publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, Tukur Mamu, who confirmed the development to journalists in Kaduna, also released the victims’ photographs and identities.

The released hostages include a 60-year-old woman, Aisha Hassan; Abubakar Idris Garba and his wife, Maryama. Others are their children – Ibrahim, Fatima, Imran and one-year-old Zainab.

Mamu, however, said the sexagenarian was released due to a life-threatening health ailment, which deteriorated recently.

He said Sheikh Ahmad Gumi had, after seeing the video of the victims being flogged, intervened and pleaded with the abductors to release the family of six, as two of their children were seriously ill.

“Disturbed by the gory images of four children belonging to the same family he saw in the last video released by the attackers of the AK9 train, Gumi, for the first time since the abduction of the train passengers over four months ago, reached out to the abductors through me. He sent Allah’s message to them and consistently pleaded with them to consider the release of the children and their innocent parents,” he said.

It was learnt that the health condition of two of the children deteriorated after the flogging, which affected their father, an employee of the National Assembly Commission.

His words: “This is to confirm to the world that due to Gumi’s efforts and with the support of a serving senator from the North – a God-fearing personality that doesn’t have any relationship with the hostages, who chose to remain anonymous – that the family of six regained freedom this morning.”

The Guardian gathered that Abubakar is the son of Maj-Gen. Idris Garba (rtd), now bed-ridden, from Niger State. He was Military Administrator of Kano and Benue states during the administration of former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).

The terrorists have continued to release the kidnapped passengers in batches, beginning with the Managing Director Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, followed by another set of 11, seven, four, five and now seven, making it 36 of the passengers released so far, leaving about 27 others still in captivity.

MEANWHILE, bandits attacked a Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) patrol base along the Galadi-Birniwa axis in Jigawa State on Tuesday, leaving one officer dead and two with serious injuries.

Addressing the press at the NIS Dutse headquarters, the Assistant Comptroller-General, Ismail Aliyu, said the incident occurred about 11.20 p.m. when five bandits stormed the base on two motorcycles.

According to Aliyu, the bandits opened fire on the patrolling officers, which resulted in the death of Abdullahi Mohammed, while Abba Kiyawa and Zubairu Garba sustained injuries.