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Tag: Kaduna-Abuja train

  • DSS withdraws suit against ex-terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu

    DSS withdraws suit against ex-terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu

    The Department of State Services (DSS), on Thursday, withdrew a suit filed at a Federal High Court, Abuja to detain the former terrorists’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, for 60 more days after his arrest.

    DSS’ counsel, A.M. Danlami, told Justice Nkeonye Maha shortly after the matter was called for hearing.

    The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1619/2022 between SSS and Tukur Mamu, was listed for further proceedings on the day’s cause list.

    Upon resumed hearing, Danlami, who sought to withdraw the case, said that the matter has been overtaken by event.

    “My lord, this matter is slated for hearing today. However, the matter has been overtaken by event. We wish to withdraw the suit,” he said.

    Following the application, Justice Maha struck out the suit.

    “Application of the learner counsel succeeds. The application is hereby struck out having been withdrawn,” she ruled.

    The security agency, through its lawyer, Ahmed Magaji, had, on Sept. 13, moved a motion ex-parte, which sought an order of the court to detain Mamu for 60 more days in the first instance, pending the conclusion of its investigation.

    The motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1617/2022, was dated and filed on Sept. 12.

    It urged the court to grant its reliefs to enable it conclude its investigation on Mamu, who had been leading the negotiation with the terrorists for the release of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers kidnaped in March.

    Almost six months after the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers were kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists, the remaining 23 kidnapped victims finally regained their freedom on Oct. 5 following the Federal Government‘s intervention.

    Mamu was, on Sept. 6, arrested in Cairo, capital of Egypt, with his family members by foreign security agents.

    Mamu, who was on his way to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj, was detained at Cairo International Airport before being repatriated back to Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the DSS, in the affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion, alleged that its preliminary investigation established the offences of logistic supplier, aiding and abetting acts of terrorism against Mamu.

    The security outfit, in the affidavit deposed to by Hamza Pandogari, a legal officer with the service, said it was necessary for Mamu to be detained for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation of various acts of terrorism against him.

    It alleged that the investigation established act of terrorism financing against the former terrorists’ negotiator.

    It alleged that Mamu, “the self acclaimed Kaduna train negotiator exploit the opportunity to perpetrate, aid and abets as well as render support to both local and international terrorist organisations,” among others.

    The DSS had warned Nigerians over making comments on its arrest of Mamu.

    The DSS, in a statement by its Spokesman, Peter Afunaya, asked the public to leave the agency alone and allow it to concentrate on the investigations which it said the outcomes had been “mindboggling.”

    This come hours after the Islamic cleric, Sheik Gumi, to whom Mamu is an aide, had faulted the arrest of the negotiator.

    Gumi, at a religious gathering on Friday in Kaduna, had asked the security agency to charge Mamu to court if it had any evidence against him, rather than keeping him in custody.

    NAN

  • Kaduna-Abuja train attack:Victims’ families protest, beg FG to yield to bandits demands

    Friends and families of abducted passengers of the attacked  Kaduna-Abuja bound train have  staged a protest to beg the Federal Government to yield to the demands of the bandits to avoid their family members being killed.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that bandits have issued out a seven-day ultimatum to the FG to dance to their tunes or have all abductees in their custody killed.

    One of their demands is the unconditional release of their detained children held in an orphanage home in Adamawa State under the strict supervision of the Nigerian Army as well as the release of their detained comrade.

    Day two of the Ultimatum, family members and friends of the victims have staged a peaceful protest in Kaduna appealing to president Buhari-led Federal Government to look into the direction of the bandits’ demands so their loved ones can be released.

    They added that the victims have been subjected to psychological and emotional torture in the custody of the bandits.

    They said  it’s now 58 days their loved ones have been in captivity, beaten by the sun and rain besides other psychological problems

    The statement which was read out by their leaders, Dr Abdulfatai Jimoh and Dr Ba’aba Muhammad, also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider their demand.

    “Article 7 of the Third Geneva Convention provides for the rights and protection of prisoners of war. In a similar manner, the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) also protects persons deprived of liberty as a result of armed conflicts before their eventual release.

    “We are appealing to the abductors of our family members to show compassion to them as fellow Nigerians,” it said.Amid

  • Why FG cannot accede to release of 16 terrorists commanders, sponsors in custody for abducted passengers of Kaduna train attack

    Why FG cannot accede to release of 16 terrorists commanders, sponsors in custody for abducted passengers of Kaduna train attack

    The Nigerian government has reportedly stalled negotiations between them and terrorists, who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train on March 28, following the refusal of the government to accede to the release of 16 of their commanders and sponsors in custody.

     

    The terrorists are keeping about 100 passengers, who were abducted from the train, which derailed at Katari, Kaduna, after it was bombed.

     

    Eight persons were killed and 26 others injured when gunmen attacked the train and kidnapped the victims.

     

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation said it was unable to establish contact with 163 of the passengers and seven crew members, who boarded the train.

     

    Security sources said the authorities were still negotiating with the terrorists, while exploring other options to rescue the abductees, who were seen in a viral video sitting under a tree at an unknown location, believed to be the bandits’ camp.

     

    It was gathered on Friday that the government was also not ready to pay ransom on the abductees.

     

    A source said, “The Federal Government is looking into their demands because of the hostages, but the government is being cautious; it cannot meet the demands of the terrorists. The last time the government released some commanders, they went back and the insurgency became worse.

     

    “So, nobody is considering releasing the commanders. The terrorists were also given money previously and the situation did not improve.”

     

    Following the lack of progress in the negotiations, it was learned that the terrorists might start asking the families of the hostages for ransom.

     

    Some of the family members had protested the abduction of their loved ones and also complained that the terrorists had not contacted them since the victims were held captive over two weeks ago.

     

    Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has ordered intensive security patrols of all public spaces and critical national assets ahead of Easter.

     

    He directed all state Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to ensure adequate deployment of personnel and operational assets in areas of security interest in their respective areas of responsibility.

     

    The acting force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed in a statement that the IG also instructed the supervising officers to ensure that “confidence-boosting, proactive and high visibility patrols” were carried out on the highways, motor parks, train stations, airports, worship centres, recreation centres, banks and other financial institutions, while taking adequate measures to provide a peaceful, crime-free, and enabling environment for religious, cultural and other socio-economic activities to thrive.

     

    “In addition, the commissioners of police and their supervising AIGs have been directed to ensure proper supervision of the men assigned for these assignments. They must be professional and courteous to law-abiding citizens, but firm and ruthless with criminal elements, who might want to take advantage of the festive period to perpetrate their unholy acts,” the statement added.

  • FG opens channel of discussion with kidnappers of passengers in Kaduna-Abuja train

    FG opens channel of discussion with kidnappers of passengers in Kaduna-Abuja train

    A channel of discussion with terrorists who abducted passengers on a Kaduna-Abuja bound train in March. 2022 has been opened by the Federal Government.

     

    Recall that bandits attacked the train, killed eight persons and abducted scores.

     

    The bandits had threatened to kill all the victims, if the federal government failed to negotiate with them.

     

    However, nine days after the attack, the terrorists released the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, after an alleged N100 million ransom.

     

    Speaking with journalists in Kaduna on Friday, relatives and friends of the abducted passengers said they have been assured by the Federal Government that a channel of discussion with the terrorists has been opened.

     

    “After the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, we heard from the Federal Government through the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed that the government is in dialogue. That government is already discussing with the abductors of our relatives,” said Dr Jimoh Fatai, who has been designated as chairman of the group pressing for the release of their loved ones.

     

    “We are happy about it, we note it, we acknowledge it and we appreciate the efforts of the government in that regard. What we are now appealing for is that government should speed up the process,” he said

  • KADUNA TRAIN ATTACK: Bandits demand release of 16 top commanders and sponsors in government custody for 100 passengers abducted

    KADUNA TRAIN ATTACK: Bandits demand release of 16 top commanders and sponsors in government custody for 100 passengers abducted

    The bandits, who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train, have said they would release the over 100 individuals abducted from the derailed train on March 28, if 16 top commanders and sponsors in government custody are released.

     

    Dependable security sources said the bandits carried out the violent attack on the train just to abduct passengers who could be used to bargain for the release of their commanders and sponsors in detention.

     

    It was that gathered on Monday that the arrest of the suspects had severely hampered the deadly activities of the bandits who are collaborating with the Boko Haram terrorist group to unleash malevolent attacks across the country.

     

    The terrorists had on March 28 at Katari, Kaduna State, attacked the train which was heading for Kaduna from Kaduna.

    After the attack, security agencies reported that eight bodies were recovered from the attack scene and 26 persons were injured

     

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation said it was unable to establish contact with 163 passengers and seven crew members who boarded the train.

     

    On Monday, multiple sources explained that the bandits in their ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government were demanding prisoners’ exchange.

     

    The gang had last week released one of their hostages, the Managing Director, Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, due to his age. In a video showing the victim in their midst, the gunmen said the government knew what they wanted and threatened to kill the remaining hostages if their demands were not met.

     

    On Sunday, the terrorists released another video where some of the captives were seen calling on the government to come to their rescue.

     

    But a senior official said the terrorists were being hampered by the arrest of their top commanders, noting that their sources of funding had been greatly impacted by the arrest of their sponsors.

     

    He stated, “The bandits have made contact (with the government) but the issue now involves the Interpol because they have international collaborators. Security operatives are working to identify their connection to Boko Haram.

     

    “The bandits are after their people who are in custody. They are demanding the release of 16 sponsors and commanders in exchange for the abducted train passengers. That’s why they said in a video that the government knows what they want.”

     

    “We arrested some of their commanders and those sponsoring them in Dubai and Nigeria. We have about 16 commanders and sponsors in custody, so they are demanding their release because their sources of funding are declining. I hope the authorities would not release the commanders and sponsors to them because we are getting information on the bandits from the suspects,” the source noted.

     

    Commenting on the group’s threats to kill the hostages, the security officer argued that such an action would not give the bandits what they were demanding from the government.

     

    “If they kill their hostages, they would not achieve what they are looking for. The fact is that they are being starved of funds and that is why they are making the threat and it is also the reason for the attack on the train. They attacked the train just to get government attention and negotiate the release of their commanders and sponsors,” he stated.

     

    An intelligence official also corroborated the report that the bandits were demanding the release of commanders and ransom, noting that the marauders had been cooperating with Boko Haram fighters in their attacks in Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina and others.

     

    The official noted, “What they want is prisoners exchange and money. It is a lie that they don’t want money; they want both money and prisoners exchange. They would release the passengers in exchange for many of their members in custody. They are collaborating with Boko Haram to pool resources together and constitute a bigger security threat to the country.”

     

    Efforts to get the reaction of the Military were not successful. As calls to the number of the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, indicated it was not reachable.

     

    He has yet to respond to the message sent to him on the matter. However, a military source said the military does not negotiate with bandits.

     

    The source said, “It is not our duty to negotiate with the bandits or any other criminal elements. Ours is to fulfill our constitutional duties which we have been doing. “

     

    Earlier, the gunmen that attacked the train had released a video showing about two dozen of the hostages they kidnapped in the assault.

     

    The images were the first indicator of how many passengers may have been abducted in the brazen raid, in which eight people were killed.

     

    In the two-minute video, about 24 people are seen sitting in a forest area, including men and women. At least one man appears to be from South-East Asia while at least one another appears Caucasian.

     

    Behind them, a group of gunmen stood in a line.

     

    “We are the passengers who left Abuja for Kaduna on Monday on March 28, 2022. We were seized on our way,” one man said in Hausa language in the video.

     

    “Since then it is only us that knows the dire situation we are in, there are women and children, there are aged people with health challenges.”

  • Kaduna State government receives over 100 pieces of luggage, others belonging to passengers of the iil-fated Kaduna-Abuja train

    Kaduna State government receives over 100 pieces of luggage, others belonging to passengers of the iil-fated Kaduna-Abuja train

    Over 100 pieces of luggage, valuables, gadgets and personal effects belonging to passengers of the iil-fated Kaduna-Abuja train were on Friday received by the Kaduna State government.

     

    This was disclosed by the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement.

     

    Bandits had attacked 362 Kaduna – Abuja train passengers, killed eight persons and wounded 26 others while scores of passengers were unaccounted for.

     

    In a statement, Aruwan said “The Kaduna State Government has received luggage, valuables and other belongings of some passengers who were on the Abuja-Kaduna train AK9 which was attacked by terrorists on 28th March. ”

     

    The items were handed over to the Kaduna State Government by the military authorities, who had gathered the items from within and around the train during search operations after the attack.

     

    He said governor Nasir El-Rufa’i expressed his thanks to the Military authorities and commended them for their careful handling and documentation of the item.

     

    ” These items included; over 100 pieces of luggage, valuables, gadgets and personal effects,” he posited.

     

    According to the statement, nine persons had already collected their items after presenting proof at the point of recovery by the military.

     

    He said the remaining belongings, received with a detailed inventory, will be carefully stored.

     

    “A system for the receipt of claims will be communicated to the public subsequently,” he asserted.

  • Families, relatives of passengers in bombed Abuja-Kaduna train storm Rigasa train station

    Families, relatives of passengers in bombed Abuja-Kaduna train storm Rigasa train station

    Following Monday’s bombing of an Abuja-Kaduna train by bandits, around Kateri-Rijana general area, families and relatives of the 950 passengers on board the ill-fated train have besieged Rigasa station in Kaduna State.

     

    The families and relatives, as early as 1.00 a.m. on Tuesday, stormed Rigasa Train Station in a bid to find out the true situation as regards the multiple reports on the Kaduna-Abuja train that was bombed by bandits.

     

    Several passengers were wounded during the bombing on Monday, as Kaduna State Government had confirmed that the military had secured the trapped train, but was silent on the number of casualty.

     

    However, many relatives of the passengers expressed anxiety on the exact situation.

     

    A relative, Ali Baba, said: “I heard the news around 11.30 p.m., and I had to rush here this morning.”

     

    Another relative, Hajia Muhammed Usman, explained: “I cannot believe what I heard. That is why I ran to Rigasa this morning to find out what happened to my daughter who boarded the train yesterday.”

     

    She lamented that, “Kaduna-Abuja road is not safe, Kaduna-Abuja train is not safe, Kaduna International Airport is not safe. Our houses, rooms are not safe. Nowhere is safe in Nigeria.”