Reactions have continued to trail the ultimatum given by terrorists who abducted passengers of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna-bound train about 2 months ago.
Commenting on the threat issued by the terrorists, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, of the National Conscience Party, (NCP), said although no government would want to negotiate with those threatening its sovereignty, the life of every Nigerian is important.
Similarly, the Coalition of Northern Groups, (CNG), said the Government must act to investigate and punish allegations of defence corruption if we are to reclaim our forests.
While reacting to the 7-day ultimatum given by the terrorists or else they start killing the abducted passengers, the Spokesperson of the CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman said, I dont think these things about the terrorists talking to people and setting conditions are going to solve the matter.
The whole affair is becoming one big drama unfolding in series. I dont think it would be that easy for gangs of forest bandits to be able to operate with such audacious regularity unhindered without sensing a vacuum in the political will of officials to challenge them.
Government must act to investigate and punish allegations of defence corruption if we are to reclaim our forests, land borders, highways, airports and railways that are abandoned to the mercy of these gangs of criminals who operate at will and with ease.
Those who pose as Northern leaders today are also not helping the situation, they are rather more engrossed in the politics of 2023 as though everything is normal. They are pretending not to see the threats posed by the activities of these bandits to the elections they are fighting over.
The National President of the Area Youth Forum, (AYF), Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, said the government should do all it can to rescue the abductees without any collateral damage.
According to him, both the abductees who have spent about 2 months in captivity for no fault of theirs and their relations have continued to live in trauma which shouldnt be.
Also reacting, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, Rev.Joseph John Hayab, said the government should use wisdom and power to rescue the abductees.
Similarly, a former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF), Anthony Sani, said: As far as I am concerned, even though negotiation with terrorists is outlawed and generally not encouraged internationally when it comes to the need to secure the release of citizens held in captivity, they need to sustain patriotism makes it necessary and imperative to negotiate with terrorists.
