The terrorists who kidnapped numerous passengers off a Kaduna-bound train in March have released 11 of them.
Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic preacher, was instrumental in the freeing of the hostages.
On Saturday evening, Tukur Mamu, Mr Gumi’s spokesperson, told InsightnaijaTV that the cleric negotiated with the terrorists and provided a location where the captives might be reunited with their loved ones.
“After reaching agreements about the release, they (the gunmen) insisted that sheikh Gumi must intervene and identify a location where the captives will be handed over,” Mr Mamu said.
Mr Mamu claimed that the cleric had been negotiating with the attackers for several weeks, leading to the ultimate release of some of the captives.
The detainees were handed over to representatives of the cleric at a place chosen by Mr Gumi in Kidandan woodland, he said.
Negotiations to liberate the remaining 51 hostages are still on, he said.
When questioned if a ransom was paid for the captives’ release, Mr Mamu stated that he was unaware.
Jessy John, Amina Mohammed (Gamba), Rashida Busari, Hannah Ajewole, and Amina Jibril were among those released, according to Mr Mamu.
Najib Daiharu, Gaius Gambo, Hassan Aliyu, Peace Boy, and Danjuma Sa’idu are among the others.
During the attack, the gunmen killed a total of nine passengers. Several more were injured by gunshots.
The gunmen had previously released a couple of hostages after paying ransoms, according to reports.
