Armed attackers of the AK-9 Abuja-Kaduna train of March 28, 2022, have released five of the passenger they abducted.
Among the freed passengers are Professor Mustapha Umar Imam, a physician at the Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUS), Sokoto.
Imam was shot in captivity, raising concerns about his safety. Other passengers who were released are Sidi Aminu Sharif,Muktar Shuaibu, Akibu Lawal, and Abubakar Ahmed Rufai.
The security agencies and the Federal Government are yet to confirm the development, however a member of the negotiating team, Tukur Mamu said the victims were released on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
Mamu said that he played a prominent role in the release of the train victims. He has however, backed out due to threats to his life, personal integrity and lack of support from the Federal Government.
Thus far, 27 victims have been freed. With the release of the five victims, the number of those still in captivity now remains at 35.
It is however not clear if any money was paid to the terrorists to release their abducted victims.