Victims of the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack have demanded for compensation from the Federal Government to enable them restart a new life.
Their demand came 24 hours after the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) resumed operations on the Kaduna-Abuja route on Monday.
Recall that the Kaduna-bound AK-9 train came under terrorists attack in the evening of March 28, leaving nine passengers dead, 63 others kidnapped, and many others injured.
The attack forced the Federal Government to suspend the train services on the route until December 5.
Addressing reporters in Kaduna, the last batch of the 63 victims who regained freedom on October 5, regretted that most of them lost their means of livelihood during the period they were in the terrorists’ captivity.
They also claimed that the Federal Government had not fulfilled its promises to them after they met President Muhammadu Buhari upon their release in October.
They noted that most of them were already suffering from depression and psychological disorder that require urgent medical attention.
One of the victims, Maryam Idris said: “The Federal Government officials collected our contact and promised to get back to us. But up till now, nobody has done that. Most of us that were working in private organisations lost our jobs because our employers had to replace us. They could not wait for us. We lost our sources of income.
“As a proud citizen of Nigeria, I expected so much more from the Federal Government. I am expecting the Federal Government to call us and ask: what is happening with your lives? Thye should sit with those who lost their jobs and see how our lives will be better.”
Another victim, Bala Mohammed said: “Some people believe that the Federal government gave us money. In fact, the very week I came back from captivity, my landlord came to demand for my rent. When I gave an excuse, he told me I should give him from the money the Federal Government gave us.”
