Abuja-Kaduna Train: Military Secures Release of Last 23 Hostages

The Seven–Man Presidential Committee assembled by the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor has secured the release of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on the 28th of March, 2022.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, CDSAC, Professor Usman Yusuf on wednesday. He did not provide details.

According to defence official, the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS, General Irabor who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish.

He noted that all sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transport contributed immensely to the operation.

“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR is what made it all possible.”

Members of the Committee were grateful for the honour and privilege to be part of this Humanitarian Operation.

The government blamed the attack on Islamist insurgency Boko Haram. The attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train led to the suspension of a service that was popular with passengers who feared attacks and kidnappings by gunmen on Nigerian highways.

Nigeria’s state railway company initially said it could not account for 168 people who according to a passenger log had booked to travel on the train. Most were later traced to their homes, but 65 were confirmed missing.

The kidnappers had been releasing hostages in batches.