Demand rescue of loved ones
Family members of passengers who boarded the Abuja-Kaduna-bound train that was attacked by terrorists on March 28, 2022, staged a protest in Abuja, demanding the immediate rescue of their relatives held in captivity.
Recall that the terrorists had killed no fewer than eight persons, injured 26 others injured abducted scores of other passengers. However, they have threatened to start killing the hostages if the Federal Government does not meet up with their demands within seven days.
One of their demands is the unconditional release of their detained children held in an orphanage home in Adamawa State under the strict supervision of the Nigerian Army as well as the release of their detained comrades.
Consequently, the family members of the victims staged a peaceful protest in the nations capital yesterday, begging the Federal Government to listen and act on the bandits demands so they can release their loved ones.
According to them, its now 58 days their loved ones have been in captivity, beaten by the sun and rain besides other psychological problems.
At the NUJ Secretariat where the demonstration took place, the protesters displayed placards bearing inscriptions which read: President Muhammadu Buhari please order the immediate release of abductors children to save our loved ones: #Save AK9 Abuja-Kaduna train kidnapped passengers, President Muhammadu Buhari save your citizens from their abductors now; President Buhari please save our loved ones, etc.
Sobbing profusely as she spoke, one Mrs. Matilda Kabiru Muhammed, whose husband was abducted by the terrorists, said, “Yesterday, we received the most heartbreaking ultimatum from the abductors of the AK9 train passengers. The shocker is one that prompted this afternoons protest.
The past 58 days have been one of unprecedented agony. Although, we have kept the hope of seeing our loved ones again, but yesterday (Tuesday) took the wind out of our sails. Whatever hope we have seems to be slipping through our fingers.
We are calling on Mr. President (President Muhammadu Buhari), the Service Chiefs, the Heads of security agencies, national and international human rights organisations, to rescue our families. They are your family too. There can be no negotiation without dialogue.
Release their children let us have our family, and your family back. Do not turn a blind eye to our plight.
Finally, we are once again appealing to our dear president and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to kindly consider and accede to the demand of the abductors of our family members and save innocent Nigerians and your citizens.
