Kaduna-Abuja Train Attack: President Buhari Assures Safe Return Of Victims

The families of those kidnapped in the ill-fated Kaduna-Abuja train have been assured by President Muhammadu Buhari that the victims will be returned safely.

Some of the passengers aboard the train were kidnapped on March 28, 2022, and the relatives have been calling on the government to intervene.

Speaking on the issue on Monday in Abuja, President Buhari gave the assurance that those kidnapped would be returned safely.

The president instructed agencies and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide detailed information to the families of the victims on a regular basis, adding that his administration would explore every opportunity to secure their return alive and unharmed.

"As we celebrate this occasion with joy amidst friends and family members, we are fully conscious of the fact that many families in our country are in a state of fear and anxiety.

"This is on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will; including those taken away in the tragic attack of the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

"I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping.

"I urge the Railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute-by-minute engagement with families of the captives.

"This should ease their pain and anxiety as we push the military to ensure their safe return to their families. My aim is to see all those in captivity safely rescued.

"Let me assure Nigerians that the bandits are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed.

"They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly", Buhari stated.

The president also stated that the bandits have no respect for the rules of engagement and can resort to harming the hostages if attacked.

"Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success. The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling.

“The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed, and alive.

“Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits requires more than weapons; we also need human intelligence which is necessary to frustrate terrorists’ plans.

“The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups."