Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Military expressed for the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists.
In a reaction to the news of the safe release of the hostages in line with his earlier directives, President Buhari expressed his happiness and satisfaction, and that of the entire nation with the military as well as other security agencies
He said the nation owed the military and all other security and intelligence agencies a debt of gratitude for the successful conduct of the operation leading to the release of the hostages, saying that these agencies had shown outstanding capabilities over this period that the whole world will not fail to take note of.
“This country’s Armed Forces are as good as any. Given needed support and encouragement as we have been doing, there is no task that they cannot accomplish. I commend them for this remarkable outcome,” the President said.
In expressing satisfaction with the successful deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic processes leading to the eventual safe release of the remaining hostages, President Buhari also congratulated the families of the victims for having them back alive.
He directed that the relief that comes to the nation arising from the closure of this unfortunate saga must be sustained at all times, all over the federation.
The President also credited his government for resolving the issue and the de-escalation of the terrorism, banditry and kidnapping that surged recently, giving assurances that the efforts will be sustained.
Hostages Release
The Seven–Man Presidential Committee assembled by the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, CDS General Lucky Irabor secured the release of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on the 28th of March, 2022.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, CDSAC, Professor Usman Yusuf.
According to him, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS, General Irabor who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish.
He noted that all sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transport contributed immensely to the operation.
“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is what made it all possible.”
Train Passengers Captivity
The terrorists, who attacked the AK9 Train in Kaduna on March 28, 2022, had before now released hostages in batches with the last release being on August 19, 2022.
READ ALSO: 11 kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna train passengers regain freedom
The insurgents had blown up the rail track and bombed the moving train, killing some and abducting more than 60 passengers.
The unprecedented attack attracted international and national outrage.
Distraught family members had protested several times to demand the release of their loved ones.
Worried about the situation, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) temporarily suspended operations as President Muhammadu Buhari directed security agencies to rescue the victims.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, had said the Abuja-Kaduna rail line would not resume until all those kidnapped by bandits in March were rescued and reunited with their families.
A terrorist negotiator, Tukur Mamu, was on September 6, 2022, arrested in Cairo, Egypt while on his way to Saudi Arabia and returned to Nigeria the next day.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Department of State Services takes custody of hostage negotiator
The Department of State Services had alleged that Mamu, who negotiated between terrorists and families of kidnap victims, was part of an international terrorist network and used the cover of journalism to perpetrate his deeds.
PIAK
