Family members of the Kaduna train attack have cried out to the general members of the public over threats by the terrorists to kill the victims if the Federal Government fails to yield to their demands after seven days.
The devastated relatives of the abductees disclosed that the terrorists have spoken to them directly, and are demanding the release of their eight children being held by the Federal Government in Adamawa State before they will release the 61 abducted train passengers.
They, however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order for the eight immediate release of the children to the terrorists so as to secure the release of their loved ones who have been in captivity for 59 days.
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They also said that the bandits released videos of the victims in their custody to prove to them that they are still alive.
The aggrieved relatives held a peaceful protest on Wednesday morning to continuously call on the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward the rescue of the victims.
Africa Today News, New York had earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had assured families of those kidnapped by bandits in the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train service of March 28 that efforts were on-going to ensure their safe return.
The president gave the assurance last Monday in Abuja when he hosted residents of the FCT who paid him Sallah homage.
He directed security agencies and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide detailed information to families of the victims regularly saying the government would explore every opportunity to secure their return alive and unhurt.
‘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,’ he said.
According to the president, bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, don’t respect the rules of engagement and can resort to harming hostages when attacked.