August 10, (THEWILL) – Another batch of seven Abducted passengers of the ill-fated Kaduna-bound train, attacked by terrorists on March 28, 2022, have regained freedom.
Malam Tukur Mamu, Media consultant to Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Gumi, said their release was facilitated by a consistent appeal to the abductors by Sheikh Gumi.
A statement signed by Mamu on Wednesday, said the victims include a family of six and a 60-year-old woman, Hajia Aisha Hassan, currently facing life-threatening health challenges.
Gumi had reached out to the abductors through his media consultant, Mamu, after he watched the gory videos and images of four children of one of the abducted families.
It was learnt that the health condition of two of the children deteriorated since the flogging incident, which also affected their father.
He was said to have sent sermons and consistently pleaded with the terrorists to consider the release of the poor children and their parents.
“This is to confirm to the world that due to Sheikh Gumi’s efforts and with the support of a serving Senator from the North, (a God-fearing personality that doesn’t have any relationship with the hostages), who chooses to remain anonymous, that all the family of six has regained their freedom on Wednesday morning.
“Also released is a 60-year-old woman, Hajia Aisha Hassan, who was said to have been released due to life-threatening health challenges that deteriorated recently.
“The names of the six family members that were released are Abubakar Idris Garba, who is the father of the four kids, his wife Maryama Abubakar Bobbo and their eldest son, Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, who is 10 years old.
“Others include Fatima Abubakar Garba, 7 years, Imran Abubakar Garba, 5 years old and the youngest, Zainab Abubakar Garba, who is only one and half years.
“The husband, Abubakar is the son of Maj Gen Idris Garba (rtd), who is now bed-ridden, is an indigene of Niger State and was a former Military Administrator of Kano and Benue States during the administration of former Head Of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
“Sheikh Gumi had also prayed for the immediate release of the remaining victims and urged the government to intensify efforts towards achieving that. He said the delay in releasing the remaining victims is unnecessary and one that is achievable once the right approach has been taken”, Mamu said.
The father of the four kids is a staff of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).
