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The terrorists who attacked a Kaduna-bound train have extended by two weeks, their threat to kill the 62 passengers still in their custody today.
However, the extension is with a provision: The Federal Government must release eight of their children said to be in detention on or before June 13 for further talks on the release of the 62 passengers could continue.
The terrorists had on March 28 killed nine passengers and abducted many after causing the train to derail a few kilometres away from Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital. They later freed some, leaving the 62 in their hands.
Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, disclosed the extension of the one-week deadline given by the abductors last Tuesday. Mamu, who is also the spokesman for controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was silent on when the eight teenage children of the terrorists were taken into Federal Governmentโs custody.
Mamu said he succeeded in getting the terrorists to extend the deadline after the location of the eight children was established with the help of security agencies in Adamawa State.
According to the publisher, the terrorists did not only promise to continue feeding the captives but to provide them with medication. These, he added, were achieved after terrorists loyal to Abu Barra, identified photographs of the detained children in photographs shown to them..
His words: โI 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over 60 abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train and threat to start executing the victims was successfully withdrawn on Saturday afternoon.โ
โThis was as a result of ongoing engagement with the Abu Barra-led abductors. This is a good development, even though for issues that have to do with the safety of the victims, to ensure the continuation of engagement with the abductors and building confidence, we would not elaborate on this latest development which comes less than 48 hours after the release of another threatening video of the kidnapped victims.
โWe were able to identify the location of their eight children with the active support of the security agencies and eventually sent a proof of life and their childrenโs existence to the terrorists, a development that has helped to restore confidence,โ
To this end, he affirmed that a temporary truce that will enable the government to facilitate action was indeed reached with the abductors.
โAs a result of serious and frank engagement they have agreed to continue to take care of their victims including providing them with medical First Aid services which they said they have been doing.
โAlso, they have withdrawn earlier threats to start killing them by Monday (today). I believe this is a major milestone that was facilitated by Almighty Allah to grant succour not only to the innocent victims but to their loved ones as well.โ
โI can confirm to you that our security agencies are showing concern and willingness to secure their release in safety. What we earlier released has encouraged them to do more. Nigerians should continue to pray and stop politicising this sensitive imbroglio. We must recognise that the lives of innocent citizens are involved.
โBut it is important to frankly state that they were very much categorical during our conversation on the conditions of withdrawing their earlier threat. They said they will give the government the benefit of two weeks effective from Monday(today), 30th May, to see the commitment of releasing their teenage children before any talk that may lead to the release of some of their victims.
โIn the absence of any alternative, I urge the government to please do the needful as soon as possible as many of the victims have serious health challenges and you know we are in the rainy season.โ
โMy decision to accept the mediation efforts is purely on humanitarian grounds and as part of the sacrifice and commitment of Sheikh. Ahmad Gumi to contribute to lasting peace and security across the North, especially the Northwest.โ
โIn view of the encouraging development, it remains to be seen how the government will react to it to ensure the immediate release of the kidnapped victims that have now spent two months in captivity.โ
