(JUST IN): Seven more passengers abducted in Abuja—Mamu train attack released
Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher and former chief negotiator between the federal government and terrorists, said seven other passengers abducted in the train attack were released on Saturday
He made this known in an interview on Saturday, while giving an update on his recent stepping down stance as lead negotiator.
According to him, the family of the train victims convinced him to reverse his decision because the terrorists believe in him, saying abandoning them at this time is not in the interest of either party.
But he again said he might not be involved in further negotiations with the terrorists, instead he advised the families of the remaining abducted passengers to engage the government, saying the government had the ability to secure their release.
Nevertheless, he posited that based on the pleas, he decided to negotiate with the terrorists and beg them not to kill the victims while in captivity.
“Now I can reveal that it is bearing fruit as those released today (Saturday) included Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki, Aliyu Usman and the only foreign national of Pakistani origin, Dr. Mohammed Abouzar Afzal.
He added that "the success of Saturday's release proved Sheikh Ahmad Gumi right about what the power of mediation can achieve.
"I want to assure the nation that everything that has been achieved today was initiated and organized by me alone with the full support and prayers of my Principal, Sheikh Gumi.
"That's why I continue to emphasize that the government has the power to end the agony of these innocent victims in a day. It's just an individual who sacrificed their life and even his integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria.
"In all that I do, I do not need or demand any reward from anyone except Allah, but I hope that the nation for which we have sacrificed our lives will recognize us".
According to him, "the seven rescued victims have been handed over to the army and are now on their way to Kaduna.
"The location they (the kidnappers) gave is remote, sensitive and risky. There was a military checkpoint before entering the forest. My team was stopped by the soldiers but when they informed the army of our mission, they contacted the GOC and he immediately gave them his approval to continue.
"And after the victims were released, traveling over 40 kilometers through the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint."
When asked if money was involved in the victims' release, Mamu replied that "the seven rescued victims are in the best position to confirm this. Money cannot not realize what I did today. I will never get involved in any matter that has to do with money. I am also under serious surveillance. I am sure that if they have evidence against me, I can't speak freely like I used to."
Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher and former chief negotiator between the federal government and terrorists, said seven other passengers abducted in the train attack were released on Saturday
He made this known in an interview on Saturday, while giving an update on his recent stepping down stance as lead negotiator.
According to him, the family of the train victims convinced him to reverse his decision because the terrorists believe in him, saying abandoning them at this time is not in the interest of either party.
But he again said he might not be involved in further negotiations with the terrorists, instead he advised the families of the remaining abducted passengers to engage the government, saying the government had the ability to secure their release.
Nevertheless, he posited that based on the pleas, he decided to negotiate with the terrorists and beg them not to kill the victims while in captivity.
“Now I can reveal that it is bearing fruit as those released today (Saturday) included Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki, Aliyu Usman and the only foreign national of Pakistani origin, Dr. Mohammed Abouzar Afzal.
He added that "the success of Saturday's release proved Sheikh Ahmad Gumi right about what the power of mediation can achieve.
"I want to assure the nation that everything that has been achieved today was initiated and organized by me alone with the full support and prayers of my Principal, Sheikh Gumi.
"That's why I continue to emphasize that the government has the power to end the agony of these innocent victims in a day. It's just an individual who sacrificed their life and even his integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria.
"In all that I do, I do not need or demand any reward from anyone except Allah, but I hope that the nation for which we have sacrificed our lives will recognize us".
According to him, "the seven rescued victims have been handed over to the army and are now on their way to Kaduna.
"The location they (the kidnappers) gave is remote, sensitive and risky. There was a military checkpoint before entering the forest. My team was stopped by the soldiers but when they informed the army of our mission, they contacted the GOC and he immediately gave them his approval to continue.
"And after the victims were released, traveling over 40 kilometers through the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint."
When asked if money was involved in the victims' release, Mamu replied that "the seven rescued victims are in the best position to confirm this. Money cannot not realize what I did today. I will never get involved in any matter that has to do with money. I am also under serious surveillance. I am sure that if they have evidence against me, I can't speak freely like I used to."
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