The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, has expressed hope on the release of victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack who have been held captive by terrorists since March 28.
The Abuja-Kaduna train attack, which occurred on March 28, 2022 at Dutse forest in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, left eight people killed and 26 others injured while scores of passengers were abducted by marauding terrorists.
The train left Abuja’s Idu station at 6pm and was scheduled to arrive in Kaduna’s Rigasa train station by 8pm but was attacked at about 7.45pm before arriving at its destination.
However, eleven out of the kidnapped passengers were freed on Saturday. Those released by the terrorists include five males and six females. They have reportedly been flown to Abuja for medical treatment.
Speaking on the release of the eleven victims, Saraki said while the government is grateful for the “positive development”, it is equally mindful of the anguish of all the victims and their families, “who have unfortunately endured and still enduring unimaginable trauma since the tragic incident of March 28th, 2022”.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Minister said, “The Federal Government has been steadfast in its unrelenting objective to facilitate the safe release of every abducted passenger.
“We commend the untiring effort of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, our military and security agencies in securing this release as further efforts are currently ongoing in securing the return of all other victims still in captivity as soon as possible.
“We thank Nigerians for their fervent prayers and support of the victims and families.
“I can assure Nigerians that we have and continue to treat the safety of all our citizens as a top priority and are determined to restore confidence amongst the citizenry.
“I pray to Almighty God that the victims will overcome the trauma of this tragic incident and I hold steadfast to the belief and hope that the remaining victims will soon be set free unscathed.”
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