Train attack: FG begins negotiation with abductors of passengers

The Federal Government says it has decided to negotiate with the terrorist who abducted over 60 passengers of a Kaduna-bound train over two weeks ago.

The relatives of the victims disclosed the government decision on Friday.

Recall that no fewer than nine people were killed and over 60 abducted when terrorists bombed the rail tracks along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, forcing the targeted train to derail.

The terrorists subsequently opened fire on the train before abducting dozen on the evening of March 28, 2022.

Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, the relatives and friends of the abducted passengers on Friday said the Federal Government assured them that dialogue with the terrorists have begun.

“After the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, we heard from the Federal Government through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed that the government is in dialogue. That government is already discussing with the abductors of our relatives,” said Dr Jimoh Fatai, who has been appointed as chairman of the group pushing for the release of their loved ones.

Jimoh expressed delight at the effort of the government in reuniting the abducted passengers with their relatives.

“We are happy about it, we note it, we acknowledge it and we appreciate the efforts of the government in that regard. What we are now appealing for is that government should speed up the process,” he said.

The development comes at the expiration of a 72 hour ultimatum issued by the relatives to the Nigerian Government to begin dialogue that will see to the release of the captives.

Dr Fatai disclosed that the terrorists had yet to reach out on the condition of their loved ones since the initial contact.

He said they were worried that the captives will be going through untold hardship during the raining season.

The group, however, warned the Nigeria Railway Corporation against resuming the Abuja-Kaduna train service stressing that priority should be on the safety and release of those in captivity.

“The NRC should not be in a hurry to resume its service because we don’t was a recurrence of what happened. Priority for now should be on bringing back our people who are in captivity home,” he said.