After spending excruciating 196 days in the captivity of terrorists that attacked the train they boarded from Abuja heading to Kaduna, the remaining 23 victims regained their freedom on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
Most of them look unkempt, haggard, and dejected, they are however trying to wear a face that depicts hope, at last, preferring not to think of their horrible and horrific situation while in captivity where life has no meaning whatsoever.
Their release which followed the intervention of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), brought life back to them even as they are yet to regain their participation in day-to-day life activities.
The announcement of their release brought so much relief to many people, particularly their relations that have spent so much time praying for their eventual release from the den of the dreaded terrorists that kept them insisting on payment of ransom which most of their people could not afford the humongous amount of money that was being demanded.
The released 23 victims are expected to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday before further action on their debriefing, medical checks and possibly allowing them to reunite with members of their families.
Prof. Usman Yusuf, Secretary of the CDSAC, said that the release of the 23 victims now in the custody of the Committee was effected at about 4:00 pm on Wednesday.
He did not however state if the release of the victims was secured through military operation or payment of ransom.
Be that as it may, the most important thing, for now, is their release to enable them to continue life again.
