The Nigerian Army has announced the release of all the 23 remaining passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack who were held captive by Boko Haram terrorists since March 28, 2022. This was made known in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Secretary of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), Usman Yusuf.
The statement reads in part, “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600 hours (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5/10/2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists, following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28/03/2022.
“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation”.
The statement further said that the release of the hostages was made possible as a result of the unwavering effort of President Muhammadu Buhari.
On March 28, 2022, Boko Harm terrorists had blown up the rail tracks of the Abuja to Kaduna train service and abducted more than 60 passengers in an attack that attracted both international and national condemnation and outrage.
The Nigeria Railway Corporation had suspended services along that route and President Buhari had ordered all security agencies to ensure the rescue of all the hostages.