Terrorists who kidnapped passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train that was attacked on 28th March 2022 have vowed that to kill all their captives within seven days except the Federal Government release their children allegedly kept in a Yola detention facility.
One of the leaders of the terrorists pointedly said that they carried out the abduction as a retaliation for the arrest and detention of their children by the security agencies.
The leader of the terrorists, Abu Barra, who stated these while speaking with the Publisher of Desert Herald, Tukur Manu, who is also the spokesperson of Sheik Ahmad Gumi, warned that they would be left with no choice than to start killing the ill-fated passengers in seven days time.
Barra, said in an audio conversation with Mamu, that the Federal Government suspended the resumption of the train service following their threats.
Barra further told Mamu during the telephone conversation that they don’t need money but have a good reason for doing what they did, stressing that except and until their demands are met, none of the train passengers in their captivity will come out alive even if it means they (terrorists) all die with them.
According to Barra; “They are well taken care of as you can see from the pictures we sent to you via WhatsApp but we assure you that this will not continue.
“The government suspended the resumption of the train service indefinitely because of our threats and we repeat, if our conditions are not met, the resumption of the train service is to the detriment of the government and the passengers,” he said.
He also said that they decided to choose Tukur Mamu to convey the message to the government, the families of the victims and Nigerians in general because they believe that he would not alter their message.
According to Barra; “We have seen you severally with Sheikh Gumi in the forest, therefore, we recognized the fearlessness in you”.
He noted that it has been two months since the abduction of the train passengers, stressing however that anything can happen to the abducted passengers henceforth.
In the words of Barra; “Our children numbering about eight between the ages of one to seven years are currently being held at an orphanage in Jimeta, Adamawa State under the supervision of the Nigerian Army.
“The names of our children are; Abdulrahman, Bilkisu, Usman, Ibrahim and Juwairiyyah. They were forcefully taken from our wives in Nasarawa and taken to the orphanage in Yola”.
“For any continued discussion on the release of these passengers and a safe resumption of the train service, our children must be released unconditionally.
“Only then we will release some of the abducted victims, especially the women while other passengers will be released on a prisoner exchange with some of our arrested comrades by the government,” he insisted.
Barra explained that the pictures of the passengers they sent earlier, were among some of the pictures they sent to the negotiation team of the government as proof of the well-being of their victims, adding however, that since then, the government had been lackluster.
He also said that they decided to come to a GSM enabled location with one of the female victims to talk to Malam Mamu and as a confirmation of their claims.
In his response during the conversation, Mamu said he could hear her cries with a very low voice that probably indicates exhaustion pleading with him to please talk to the government on their behalf for a swift intervention on their release.
Barra threatened that, if within seven days the government does not respond to their demands, they will stop feeding the victims and will start slaughtering them one after the other.
The leader of the terrorists particularly warned that if the Federal Government does not respond after to their demands, then Nigerians should be prepared to forget using the Abuja-Kaduna rail line as well as the Kaduna-Abuja high way.
In the words of Barra; “If the government decided not to respond, so be it. We are warning Nigerians, especially those that are patronizing the train that if this matter is not resolved peacefully, the day they decided to attack us or do anything funny, passengers or commuters should forget to use the train or follow the Abuja-Kaduna road because we will be consistent and they can’t stop us.
“We believe that you will deliver this message as it is.
Therefore, we rely on you and urged you to convey this important message to everyone”, Barra said.
Accordingly, Mamu responded by saying that he understands the predicament of the Federal Government in resolving the abduction imbroglio but quickly added that every responsible government will look into saving innocent passengers’ lives and make painful compromises where necessary even if it’s against the policy of the administration.
Mamu further explained that prisoner exchange with known criminals on matters of national interest is a global practice and has happened in many developed countries like the United States.
He said; “Time is not on our side, the government must understand that they are dealing with persons with a misguided ideology and tainted religious belief. These people are not scared of death, they seem to believe that they are martyrs when they die.
“It will be a serious mistake to take this threat lightly. I believe an opportunity has been created for us to explore to save the lives of those innocent victims. For me, if these innocent people will regain their freedom because of my involvement and provided that will lead to relative peace and security on our highways and rail lines, I wouldn’t mind if I die in the process.
“We must accept the fact that security alone on the Abuja-Kaduna highways remains more fragile than ever and the solution is not militarily alone, especially in a country where impending attacks can hardly be dictated and stopped,” Mamu enthused.
