…As NRC announces Resumption of Train Services next Monday
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Following the announcement by the Nigeria Railway Corporation that train services will resume along Abuja -Kaduna corridor on Monday, families of the kidnapped victims of AK9 train bombing have accused the Federal Government of abandoning them while their loved ones are still in the captivity of terrorists.
The families had in a press conference in Abuja 42 days after the abductions, appealed to the Federal Government to prioritize negotiations and rescue of kidnapped victims instead of rebuilding the tracks and reactivating train operations along the corridor.
They equally expressed wiliness to negotiate with the kidnappers just as they appealed to the kidnappers to consider the plight of the unfortunate victims and grant them freedom so that they can be reunited with their families.
However, just seven days after the appeal, the Nigeria Railway Corporation announced that it would resume train services along the corridor on Monday.
Reacting to the announcement, Dr. Ba’aba Mohammed, representing the families, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, expressed disappointment with the development.
He said that although no one could dictate to government on how to manage the State, the implication of the resumption of train services along the corridor means that the victims as well as their families have been abandoned to their fate.
“Government has the right to resume train services, we have no control over what they do but in all honesty, we feel completely abandoned to our fate.
“That is probably why they announced that they want to start train services while our loved ones are still in captivity and we are left to lick our wounds because there is no sympathy.
“We are just pleading with Nigerians to look at this issue as their issue because today is ours, tomorrow it could be somebody else.
“That is how any other person that has any issue, once something has happened, they will abandon you and leave you. It is very unfortunate” he lamented.
The spokesperson of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Yakubu Mahmood had in a statement on Monday disclosed that resumption of train services does not mean efforts to secure the safe release of those abducted will be put on hold.
“Government wishes to assure the relatives of the abducted citizens still in captivity that the safe rescue of these passengers is a top priority and not to misconstrue the resumption of train services, as abandonment or nonchalant attitude of the government towards their plight.
“The Federal Government will never abdicate its responsibility in rescuing these valuable citizens, however, the government assures of its resolve not to succumb to threats by any faceless group” the statement added.
A train from Abuja bound for Kaduna was bombed between Rijana and Rigasa with about nine passengers killed and many kidnapped on the 28th of March, 2022.
Among the abducted passengers are children as young as three years old, pregnant women, an 85-year-old great grandmother, and others. Some of these victims have health challenges requiring daily medications.
However, about three victims including Managing Director of the Nigerian Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, and a pregnant mother have been released.
