Amid reports that the security agencies are involved in negotiations for the release of abducted passengers of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train bombed by terrorists two weeks ago in Kaduna, a video has emerged on Facebook showing some of the passengers being questioned by someone, while they were surrounded by gun-wielding terrorists in a cleared area.
No official word has come on the video or the authenticity of it, but recall that one of the passengers and Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji Alwani Ali Hassan, was released last week after his family and friends allegedly parted with N100 million.
Shortly after, a video emerged with claims that security forces intercepted the ransom money.
But the terrorists who released Alwani made a video to say he was released on account of his old age, adding that no ransom was paid.
They added an ominous message that the Federal Government was aware of their demands and should meet them. That comment has led to a wide range of interpretations on social media.
In the new video seen on Facebook, the abducted passengers numbering over 30 were being interviewed in batches while others sat in the background, watched by over 15 armed terrorists.
On Friday, the Nigeria Railway Corporation said that efforts were being made to secure the release of the passengers, as the terrorists had been contacting their family members going by a newspaper report.
Also, the Managing Director, NRC, Fidet Okhiria, told the newspaper that 12 out of the 14 coaches of the attacked train had been recovered and moved to the corporation’s stations.
He stated that the half capsized coach had been pushed back to a standing position as it almost tumbled following the explosion of the bomb planted by terrorists on the rail line.
Asked if the NRC was involved in the negotiations with the terrorists for the release of the abducted victims, Okhiria replied, “The security people are handling that.
“Whatever information our men get, they pass it to them (security agencies). We don’t talk with those people (terrorists) at all. When the families (of the victims) call us, we pass them to the security agencies.
“This is because we are not in position to talk to them (terrorists). It is an issue being handled by the security agencies.”
▪︎ Additional reports by The Punch
