Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: How Governor Buni Played Crucial Role In Releasing Victims

Tukur Mamu, the lead negotiator between kidnappers of the Abuja-Kaduna train victims and the Federal government has said Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has played a “crucial role” in the release of some victims.

He said the Governor ensured that no single Yobe indigene is left in the forest, adding that Buni demonstrated concern for his people.

Some of the passengers abducted from a Kaduna-bound train, including the son of Prof essor Ango Abdullahi and a Pakistani, were released on Saturday.

Before the weekend, 11 had been released, while a pregnant woman and Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture were freed earlier.

In all, 43 of the over 60 passengers are still in captivity.

Mamu blamed the Federal Government for the delay in the rescue of the captives, singling out Buni for playing a commendable role.

“Behind the scenes, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has done so much to ensure the success of the mission.

“Sincerely, I have so much respect for Governor Buni.

"From the information I have, there is no single Yobe citizen left in that forest.

"But that governor demonstrated uncommon concern on this issue.

"He has been in touch with me throughout, monitoring developments and even reaching out to those concerned whenever there was the need to do so.

“Governor Buni gave lots of support. This is a governor from the Northeast, far from the Northwest where we have this crisis.

"He told me not to publicise his efforts, but I have to,” Mamu said.

The negotiator said the distance between the military checkpoint and the remote location where the captives were secured on Saturday was more than 50 kilometres without an access road.

According to him, after securing the victims, the soldiers provided security cover that took them back to Kaduna.