BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – Media consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who is also the lead negotiator for the abducted Abuja-Kaduna bound train passengers, Mr. Tukur Mamu, has announced that he has successfully secured the release of additional seven of the victims from the terrorists den on Saturday.
Mamu had during the week, following the attack on the Kuje Correctional Center by terrorists, said that the Federal Government had intelligence ahead of the attack but neglected it thus, announced his formal withdrawal from negotiating with the terrorists due to alleged government lackadaisical attitude.
Mamu however said that his change of mind to continue the negotiation was as a result of the immense pressure and appeal by the relations of the abducted train passengers that are passing through excruciating pains in the camps of the terrorists.
He gave the names of those released on Saturday as a foreign national of Pakistani origin, Dr. Muhammad Abuzar Afzal, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, Bosede Olurotimi, Alhassan Sule, Abubakar Zubairu, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki and Aliyu Usman.
Mamu noted that the success of Saturday’s release of the victims has vindicated Sheikh Gumi on what the power of mediation can achieve, adding that everything that was achieved with the release of the seven victims was initiated and arranged by him with the support and prayers of Sheikh Gumi.
According to Mamu; “That is why I keep emphasising that the government has the power to end the agony of this innocent victims in one day. This is just one individual that sacrifices his life and even integrity.
“There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria. When you sincerely engage them, the guys even though wicked with misguided religious beliefs, listen. I have sufficient evidence to prove that they do listen.
“It is this power of engagement and sincerity that resulted to the release of this seven victims. In whatever I do, I don’t need or require any reward from anybody but from Allah but, I hope the nation we sacrificed our lives for will recognize us,” he said.
Manu further said that the seven rescued train victims have been handed over to the military and are presently on their way to Kaduna.
He particularly commended Nigerian Army GOC for the support he gave him during the rescue mission, stressing that the location the terrorists gave is remote, sensitive and risky.
In the words of Mamu; “There was a military checkpoint before penetrating the forest. My team was stopped by the military but, when we told them (military) our mission, they contacted the GOC and he immediately gave approval for our team to proceed.
“After the victims were successfully evacuated, travelling through over 40 kilometers in the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint. “Despite the poor medical condition of many of the rescued victims, those that took over are unnecessarily wasting their time in a military unit at the outskirts of Kaduna. I advise that authorities should hasten effort to take them to a medical facility for urgent evaluation. The seven rescued victims are in the best position to confirm. Mamu said that money cannot achieve what he did, adding that he would never get himself involved on any issue that has to do with money.
He also said; “I am also under serious watch. I am sure if they have evidence against me, I cannot be talking freely in the manner I used to do.
“This is no time for blame game. We must come together as a nation to confront our challenges. I pray and hope that government will learn a lot of lessons in what took place today,” he enthused.
Curiously however, Mamu pleaded with the families of the remaining victims to actively engage government to secure the release of members of their families still in the captivity of the terrorists, stressing that he will not be involved in such a risky mission again.
