The six people released by terrorists are family members of Major General Idris Garba (rtd), indigene of Niger State and former Military Administrator of Kano and Benue States.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Terrorists, who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train, killed nine passengers and kidnapped 63 others on March 28, have released seven more hostages, including a family of six.
The released hostages include a 60-year-old woman, Hajia Aisha Hassan, and the six family members comprising Abubakar Idris Garba (father); his wife Maryama Abubakar Bobbo; and their children, Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, 10, Fatima Abubakar Garba, 7, Imran Abubakar Garba, 5 and Zainab Abubakar Garba 1.
The six people released by terrorists are family members of Major General Idris Garba (rtd), indigene of Niger State and former Military Administrator of Kano and Benue States.
The publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, Mallam Tukur Mamu who confirmed the hostages’ release to journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, also released their photographs and confirmed the identity of the victims.
He said Sheikh Gumi, after seeing the recent video where the victims were being flogged, pleaded with the abductors to release the family of six, as two of their children were seriously sick.
Mamu however said the 60-year-old Hassan was released due to life-threatening health challenges, which deteriorated recently.
The terrorists have since after the attack released the kidnapped passengers in batches beginning with the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali-Hassan; followed by another set of 11; a set of seven; a set of four; a set of five and seven.
A total of 36 of the passengers have been released so far leaving about 27 others still in captivity.
A Senator who did not want his name mentioned, was said to have also assisted before the victims were released.
Mamu, who is the Dan Iyan Fika, said they were disturbed by the videos and images of the four teenage children belonging to the same family seen in the last video released by the terrorists, hence Gumi’s direct intervention.
According to Mamu, “Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi for the first time since the abduction of the innocent passengers of that train over 4 months ago has reached out to the abductors through his Media Consultant, sent Allah’s messages to them and consistently pleaded with them to consider the release of the poor children and their innocent parents.
“It was learnt that the health condition of two of the teenage children has deteriorated since the flogging incident that affected their helpless father. A total of additional 7 hostages were therefore released on Wednesday.
“The husband, father of the four kids is a staff of the National Assembly Commission. There was no intervention from the Commission or NASS on his behalf since the travails begun.
“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 chose to remain anonymous that all the family of six have regained their freedom on Wednesday morning.
“Also released is a 60 year old woman, one 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 youngest Zainab Abubakar Garba who is only one and half years.
“The husband, Abubakar is the son of Major General Idris Garba (rtd). Gen. Garba 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 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,” he said.