Eleven more victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack were released on Saturday by their abductors, more than two months after their nightmare started on 28th March.
There were six females among the freed victims.
This was confirmed by Alhaji Tukur Mamu, the negotiator and media consultant to controversial cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
But one of the relatives of the victims, Dr Abdulfatai Jimoh said that they had yet to receive an official communication on the release of the 11 victims.
The PUNCH had reported that the bandits had threatened to commence the killing of the abducted passengers if the government fail to meet their demands.
It is believed that there was an exchange between the Federal Government and captors of the passengers.
One of the leaders of the families of the abducted victims, Hassan Muhammed said: “Yes, I can confirm they have been released. They are heading for medicals. They released more women and children, but I cannot categorically say the numbers but I know one or two persons their sisters were released.
“I also know of a family that one of their three sisters was released”.
The families of the victims had agitated for the release of their relations. Attempts by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to resume operation on the route were repeatedly frustrated by the families, who description the action as insensitive while their passengers remained in captivity.
The last attempt to resume the service on 23rd May had to be aborted a few days to go by the NRC.
A group of terrorists detonated an Improvised Explosive Device on an inbound Kaduna – Abuja train. One of the passengers narrated exclusively to Breezy News how some of them survived.
The train with at least 362 passengers derailed and the terrorists gained access to it while shooting sporadically at the coaches.
Eight passengers were confirmed dead, while 26 got injured and no fewer than 62 were taken away and kidnapped. More than 180 others were reported safe by the NRC.
