The seven-man Presidential Committee set up by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has announced the rescue of the 23 remaining passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train kidnapped during an attack on the train on March 28.
The development led to the suspension of train operations in the Abuja-Kaduna route since the attack.
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, had said in different fora that the train service would remain shut until the hostages are reunited with their loved ones.
The Presidential Committee announced the rescue of the remaining passengers in a statement by the Secretary to the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, Prof. Usman Yusuf on Wednesday.
Yusuf stated that the Committee secured the release of the victims on Wednesday at exactly 4:00 pm.
According to the statement, all sister security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to the success of the operation.
“The statement reads: “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, a seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General L E O Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.
“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish.
“All sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation.
“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCEFR is what made it all possible.
“Members of this Committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this Humanitarian Operation. May God Almighty Heal Our Wounds and Bring Peace to Our Land.”
The Ministry of Transportation posted the Presidential Committee’s statement on its official WhatsApp group platform
The media aide to the Minister of State for Transportation, Ebenezer Adeniyan stated: “it is authentic and the information is directly from the Minister.
“That’s the news as received from the defence headquarters by the Minister. There is no press statement needed on it from the ministry at this time please.”
Also confirming it, Mrs Evelyn Asiribo, whose husband was amongst those kidnapped said: “We got a notification that they have been rescued and that they out of the forest but we are yet to see them. We are hopeful the news is true.”
One of the leaders of the victims’ families forum in Kaduna, Malam Sani Lawal, said they have been informed of the rescue.
He however said they were yet to see the rescued hostages.