The terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28 have retracted their threat to execute the abducted passengers if their demands are not met by the Federal Government within seven days.
According to reports, the bandits threatened to begin killing the kidnapped passengers if the government did not comply with their demands.
The demands included the unconditional release of their detained children, who were being held in an orphanage in Adamawa State under the strict supervision of the Nigerian Army, as well as the release of their detained fellow soldiers.
Mamu, who is also Sheikh Ahmed Gumi’s spokesman, stated that he was successful in reaching a truce with the bandits, and that the location of the eight children sought by the terrorists in exchange for the train passengers had been established with the assistance of security agencies.
After photographs of the eight children of the terrorists were sent to the bandits as ‘proof of life,’ he stated that the bandits had relocated and promised to continue to feed and care for the captives’ medical needs.
Mamu then appealed to the Federal Government to expedite their children’s release.
He said, “I can authoritatively confirm that the earlier threats to stop feeding the over 60 abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train and start executing the victims were successfully withdrawn on Saturday afternoon.
“This was as a result of ongoing engagement with the ‘Abu Barra’ led abductors. This is a good development for issues that have to do with the safety of the victims to ensure the continuation of engagement with the abductors and to build confidence. We will not elaborate on this latest development which comes less than 48 hours after the release of another threatening video of the kidnapped victims.
“We were able to identify the location of their eight children through the active support of security agencies and eventually sent a proof of life and their children existence to the terrorists, a development that has helped to restore confidence.
“As a result of serious and frank engagement, they have agreed to continue to take care of their victims, including providing them with medical first aid services which they said they have been doing.
“They have withdrawn earlier threats to start killing them by Monday. I believe this is a major milestone that was facilitated by Almighty Allah to grant succour, not only to the innocent victims but to their loved ones as well.”
Mamu urged the government to do the needful as soon as possible because of the serious health challenges currently encountered by the victims.