Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his happiness and satisfaction, and that of the entire nation with the military as well as other security agencies on the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists.
On March 28, 2022, terrorists attacked the Kaduna-bound passenger train, killing eight people and abducting 63. Many others were wounded.
After a series of releases for ransom, 23 Nigerians were still held by the terrorists somewhere within the Birnin Gwari forest in Kaduna.
However, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, confirmed that the Nigerian military secured the release of the remaining 23 victims.
In a reaction to the news of the safe release of the hostages in line with his earlier directives, President Buhari said the nation owed the military and all other security and intelligence agencies a debt of gratitude for the successful conduct of the operation leading to the release of the hostages, saying that these agencies had shown outstanding capabilities over this period that the whole world will not fail to take note of.
“This country’s Armed Forces are as good as any. Given needed support and encouragement as we have been doing, there is no task that they cannot accomplish. I commend them for this remarkable outcome,” the President said.
In expressing satisfaction with the successful deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic processes leading to the eventual safe release of the remaining hostages, President Buhari also congratulated the families of the victims for having them back alive.
He directed that the relief that comes to the nation arising from the closure of this unfortunate saga must be sustained at all times, all over the federation.
The President also credited his government for resolving the issue and the de-escalation of the terrorism, banditry and kidnapping that surged recently, giving assurances that the efforts will be sustained.
A statement issued by the Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), Prof Usman Yusuf, said the seven-man Presidential Committee assmebled by Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining pasengers held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists at 1600Hrs Wednesday.
“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 to this operation,” the statement said.
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