Punch
Relatives of the kidnapped victims of the bandits’ attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on Friday warned the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation against attempting to resume train services without rescuing their loved ones languishing in terrorists’ den.
They also lambasted Amaechi for declaring presidential ambition few days after the train attack which claimed eight lives and left 26 travellers injured while scores were kidnapped.
According to them, it was most uncharitable that Amaechi under whose nose the attack occurred as a minister was celebrating rather than resigning after the attack.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna on behalf of other relatives of kidnapped victims on Friday, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, while commending the Federal Government’s efforts, appealed that the process of negotiation should be fast-tracked for the release of their loved ones by the bandits unhurt.
Jimoh, who said it has not been easy for the families since the attack, also warned the NRC against the proposed resumption of train services without first rescuing the kidnapped victims.
He said, “It is true that we gave the Federal Government 72 hour ultimatum which expired yesterday (Thursday) midnight.
“We are grateful to God that before the expiration of the 72 hours, we heard from the Federal Government after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday through the Minister of Information that the government is already on top of the situation with what has happened.
