The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu SAN has said that the Commission has been closely monitoring the event of the abduction of passengers of Kaduna – Abuja train attack and will ensure that their plea is transmitted to relevant authorities.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by Halilu Adamu, Deputy Director, Civil and Political Rights department made this statement during a world press conference by families of kidnapped victims of AK9 Train passengers on 4th April, 2022.
Adamu who commiserated with families of the victim further stated that the Commission will liaise with relevant authorities to ensure that necessary action is taken in line with the Commission’s mandate to ensure the safe return of the victims.
Spokesperson of the families, Aliyu Mahmood who with a heavy heart stated that every attempt to reach the kidnappers for further discussions have proved abortive because they insisted on talking to the government only.
Mahmood, on a sad note stated that the families are traumatized due to the fact that some of them have gunshot wounds that require medical attention. He also said among the victims is a toddler, an 85 year old woman, a nursing mother that underwent caesarean operation 2 weeks before the attack.
He lamented that no government agency has reached out to the families who are confused and traumatized since the incident occured seventeen days ago.
Idayat Yusuf, a family member of one of the victim pleaded with the President Mohammadu Buhari to rescue his citizens and look beyond his office but rather as a father, son, brother etc. saying that the only crime committed by the victims was boarding the train.
Other family members of the victims cried profusely while begging the kidnappers to provide room for dialogue to enable them negotiate the safe release of their loved ones.
