Train Attack: Bandits withdraw threat of killing abducted victims- Mamu
Story by Aisha AUYO
The earlier threat by the bandits who attacked the Kaduna-train sometime in March to stop feeding and start executing the over 60 passengers they abducted during the attack may have been shelved by the abductors.
Malam Tukur Mamu, the Dan Iyan Fika and spokesman of Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheik Ahmed Gumi who was privileged to open a channel of communication with the terrorists through one of their leaders, Abu Barra, made this known. He said, “I can authoritatively confirm that the earlier threat to stop feeding the over 60 abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train and threat to start executing the victims was successfully withdrawn on Saturday afternoon.”
Malam Tukur Mamu further explained that it was as a result of ongoing engagement with the Abu Barra-led abductors.
According to him, a temporary truce that would enable government facilitate action was indeed reached with the abductors.
As a result of serious and frank engagement, he said the bandits had agreed to continue to take care of their victims, including providing them with medical first aid services.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s spokesman asserted that the bandits gave the government another two weeks, effective from Monday, 30th May, to release their teenage children before any talk that may lead to the release of some of their victims.
Tukur Mamu urged the government do the needful, as soon as possible, as many of the victims have serious health challenges in view of the rainy season.
The spokesman clarified that his decision to accept the mediation efforts was purely on humanitarian grounds and as part of the sacrifice and commitment of Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi to contribute to lasting peace and security across the North, especially the North West.
He further explained that in view of the encouraging development, it remains to be seen how government would react to ensure the immediate release of the kidnapped victims that have now spent two months in captivity.
