Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: FG Begins Talks With Terrorists

Inside Attacked Abuja- Kaduna Bound Train

The federal government has commenced talks with terrorists that killed nine passengers and abducted about 70 others during the March 28th attack on Abuja-Kaduna train

Relatives of the kidnapped victims disclosed this on Friday.

They however asked the government to hasten negotiation with the terrorists and shelve the idea of resuming the train services while their loved ones remain in captivity.

The families, who addressed a press conference in Kaduna on Friday, lambasted the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi for declaring his presidential ambition few days after the train attack.

They described Amaechi’s declaration as most uncharitable, saying that he ought to have resigned rather than celebrating, as the train attack happened under his nose.

Leader of the kidnapped victims’ relatives, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, who addressed journalists on behalf of others after the expiration of the 72-hour-ultimatum handed down to the federal government stated that, "We are happy that the government has started discussing with the abductors of our relatives.”

He appealed to the government to speed up negotiation for the release of their loved ones from the bandits unhurt.

“We are grateful to God that before the expiration of the 72- hour ultimatum, we heard from the federal government after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday through the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that the government is already on top of the situation with what has happened."

“We acknowledged it and we appreciate it. But what we want to add is that the government should speed up the process of discussion with them (bandits) so that they can come out to release our people soonest. This is our appeal now.”

He added, “The NRC should not be talking about reopening their services now when our people are in captivity because, what is the assurance that if they start services now, that people that will board the train are safe."

“What measure(s) have they put in place to guarantee the security of those that are going to patronise their services. We don’t want the reoccurrence of this."

“The first thing should be to get the captives out and then, they can put adequate measures in place and resume service so that this does not happen again in future.”

When asked if the NRC should go ahead to resume train service, the Chairman said, “We want to believe that they won’t try it and if they do, we won’t take it lightly with them because human lives is involved. We believe they won’t. We believe they won’t because they know what’s at stake.”

BY THE NATION

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