Terrorists have released seven more kidnapped passengers of the March 28 train attack in Kaduna.
According to a Channels Television report, the passengers were released on Wednesday morning after spending 135 days in the custody of the terrorists.
It is unclear whether any ransom was paid to the terrorists for their release.
Although the police authorities are yet to confirm the development, Channels quoted Tukur Mamu, a member of the negotiating team, as saying that six of the released hostages are members of the same family, which include a couple and their four children.
The father of the four kids, Abubakar, is the son of a former Military Administrator of Kano and Benue States Major General Chris Garba, and a National Assembly Commission staff.
The terrorists also released a 60-year-old woman, Hajia Aisha Hassan, who was said to have been freed due to life-threatening health challenges that deteriorated recently.
The names of the six family members released are Abubakar Idris Garba, the father of the four kids, his wife Maryama Abubakar Bobbo and their eldest son, Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, who is 10 years old.
Others include Fatima Abubakar Garba, 7 years, Imran Abubakar Garba, 5 years old and youngest, Zainab Abubakar Garba, who is only one and half years.
So far, 42 victims have regained their freedom. The number of those still in captivity now stands at 35.
Gunmen had, on March 28, blown up the rail track, killing some and abducting scores of passengers, a situation that called for serious concern about the safety of the nation’s trains.
Wednesday’s release is coming a few days after five other victims the terrorists freed from the abducted Kaduna-bound train.
The victims freed are Professor Mustapha Umar Imam, a medical doctor at Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Akibu Lawal, Abubakar Ahmed Rufai Mukthar Shu’aibu and Sidi Aminu Sharif.
They secured their freedom on August 2, bringing succour to their respective families.
Channels Television gathered that the terrorists released them at a location inside the forest along the Kaduna – Abuja highway. From there, they were picked up by their relatives.
Worried about the situation, the Nigeria Railway Corporation temporarily suspended activities, with President Muhammadu Buhari directing security agencies to rescue the victims.
