Train attack: Terrorists threaten starvation of victims, families protest, knock FG

Relatives and friends of the kidnapped victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack have said the terrorists holding their loved ones threatened to starve them if the authorities continue to ignore their demands.

They subsequently staged a protest on Wednesday, calling on the Federal Government to release the eight children of the terrorists being held at an orphanage in Jimeta Yola, Adamawa State, demanded by the hoodlums as part of the conditions for releasing the over 60 victims being held hostage for about 59 days.

Other demand by the hoodlums was the unconditional release of their detained comrade-at-arm.

They protested at the ‘Nagwamaste House,’ along the Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, displaying placards with inscription, including, ‘Save AK9 Abuja-Kaduna train abducted passengers now,’ ‘President Buhari, please order the immediate release of children of abductors to save our loved ones.’

Mrs Fatima Ciroma, who spoke on behalf of other relatives of the kidnapped victims, said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed in protecting the lives and property of citizens.

She said, “Mr. President, you promised to protect us; you promised to give us good security and everything. But the government has failed us.

“We are begging you on behalf of all the families; call the security people, let them start working because, they are not working.”

Earlier, another relative of the abducted victims’ families, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, said the families of the victims had viewed a “disturbing audio recording of the terrorists’ threat.”

Jimoh also appealed to the terror group to releasing their hostages, adding that the President should consider the demands of the abductors.

He said, “We woke up to the sad reality of a recorded audio tape from the abductors of our family members. In the tape were some disturbing information and since then we’ve being having fears over their lives.

Meanwhile, in the two-minutes, 39 seconds video, six captives, comprising three male and three females, including a Pakistani nationale, the victims, were told to speak.

The victims called on the government to hasten up and grant the demands of the bandits so that they could be reunited with their families.