News

Kaduna Train Attack: Abductees Appeal to FG for Rescue in New Video

By Web News 586

A new video of some passengers abducted by gunmen during the Abuja-Kaduna train attack has been released.

In the short clip, six passengers, including a Pakistani, were seen sitting and kneeling in front of the camera with a gun-wielding man in green balaclava marshalling them.

According to  report, the footage was recently shot in the den of the kidnappers.

A couple of victims who spoke appealed to the federal government to heed the demands of their abductors to aid their release.

Mohammed, the Pakistani, urged both the Nigerian government and the authorities of his home country to come to the victims’ aid.

“My name is Mohammed, I’m working here in Nigeria, but a foreign national, a Pakistani. We were abducted from the Abuja-Kaduna train on 28 March. We are here; 62 in number,” he said.

“The conditions are not very good. I am appealing to the government of Nigeria; the government of Pakistan and the international community to help us.”

An unnamed victim in hijab reiterated the plea amid tears, adding that she is in captivity alongside her family.

“We are pleading with anybody who is in any position to assist us to please come to our aid — and give our abductors their demand so they can let us go. I’m here with my entire family.

It had recently reported that, the abductors’ threat to start killing hostages in seven days if their demands are not met.

The terrorists demanded the release of their children, who they said are in the custody of the Nigerian army.

The gunmen had in March attacked the train around the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna, killing several passengers and abducting many.

Cable/Taiwo Akinola

News

Kaduna train attack: Bandits release a victim

By Web News 488

Bandits, who attacked the Abuja- Kaduna train, have reportedly released one of their victims — a pregnant woman.

The bandits had, on March 28, attacked the train in the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna after bombing the rail tracks.

Following the incident, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, confirmed 21 people as missing.

According to report, the woman was released on compassionate grounds.

The woman, clad in a black Abaya and with a face mask on, called on the federal government to negotiate with the bandits and secure the release of the other abductees.

She said the victims are not being maltreatment and that the bandits are feeding them “well”.

“I call on the government to have mercy on these people the way they have mercy on us,” the woman said in Hausa,” she said in a viral video.

The government should consider the plight of people in captivity and listen to their demands. Government should negotiate with them peacefully and accede to their demands.

“So that those still with them can be released the way I was peacefully released and reunited with my family and loved ones.

“Government should help negotiate peacefully with them.”

The pregnant woman is the third abductee to be released by the bandits.

Alwan Hassan, acting-managing director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), was the first to be released.

The bandits had said he was freed because of “his old age”.

Sadique, son of Ango Abdullahi, convener of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF , was also released, as another pregnant woman delivered a baby in the kidnappers’ den.

Cable/Taiwo Akinola

Transportation

FG reconnects Bombed Abuja-Kaduna Train Line

By Web News 635

The Federal Government through the Nigeria Railway Corporation on Thursday announced that it had reconnected the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service line that was bombed by terrorists on March 28, 2022 in Kaduna.

A statement issued by the NRC and made available to our correspondent in Abuja stated that major track work on the rail line had been completed, adding that services would soon resume on the line.

The statement read in part, “In our concerted efforts at restoring the AKTS tracks corridor for resumption of service soonest, please note the latest updates: the connection of the AKTS line has been achieved.

“This implies that the major track components (concrete sleepers and rails) have been completely laid. The south end of the tracks (which was destroyed by the explosion) has been successfully joined with the north end.

Track access between Abuja and Kaduna is now restored. The technical team continue with other track stabilisation works including ballasting, temping, fastening of accessories (clips, bolts and nuts) and welding.”

The NRC stated that Loco 2502 which was involved in the accident (though not damaged) and trapped at the Rigasa end due to lack of route access had now crossed to the Idu end and taken to the workshop for proper examination and routine maintenance.

As we have mentioned in our earlier releases, the Abuja – Kaduna Train Service will resume soon with additional security measures put in place,” it stated.

The corporation added, “Passengers will be required to provide their NIN registration for verification prior to purchasing train tickets. This is for improved passenger profiling and safety onboard.

“The corporation is committed to the safety of all our passengers and staff onboard the ill-fated Ak9 train service. We will continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure all persons being held are rescued unhurt and reunited with their families, soonest.”

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Lifestyle

TUC Loses Secretary-General, Comr Ozigi-Lawal In Kaduna Train Attack

By Web News 666

 The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has lost its Secretary-General, Comrade Musa Ozigi – Lawal.

He was killed in the Abuja – Kaduna train bombing carried out by bandits on Monday night.

A Former President of TUC, Peter Esele confirmed the death of Ozigi Lawal in a terse statement on Wednesday,

The statement reads

“The choice of being born in this country wasn’t yours to make. One thing I can attest to is your love and optimism for this country.“Yesterday (Monday), the terrorist put off your light as you travel by train to Kaduna.

SOJ World News