President Muhammadu Buhari has met with representatives of victims of the Kaduna Train abduction, and has assured them that the Government was doing everything within its powers to ensure the safe return of the remaining captives.
President Buhari condoled with the families of the victims and those who lost their loved ones.
He said since the “terrible and cowardly attack by the criminal elements” on March 28, 2022, the nation had joined them to endure a period of difficulty and emotional pains.
The President told representatives of the families that in the immediate aftermath of the incident several actions have been taken by government to bring succour to the affected families and to prevent a recurrence in the country.
He also explained his reason for discarding the use of lethal military force in extracting the remaining abductees.
‘‘I have been informed that at last count, there remain about 31 people in the hands of the kidnappers, and our determination is to work towards returning these 31 people to their families.
‘‘It is understandable that emotions typically run high, we have received several suggestions about the deployment of lethal military force in extracting those still being held in captivity. This option has indeed been considered and evaluated.
‘‘However the condition to guarantee a successful outcome and minimize potential collateral damage could not be assured and therefore that course of action had to be reluctantly discarded. My primary concern is to get everyone released safe and unhurt,’’ he said.
Confidence Okwuchi
