Malam Tukur Mamu who has been in the forefront of negotiation for the release of the kidnapped passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack has debunked claims of the release of the remaining 27 passengers in the bandits’ den.
In a statement he issued to newsmen yesterday in Kaduna, Mamu urged the public to disregard the “fake news” being peddled around with regard to the victims’ release.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify efforts at securing their immediate release as their situation remains highly unpredictable.
Mamu who is the publisher of Desert Herald said the remaining passengers in captivity are in a terrible condition.
According to Mamu, “This is to confirm without doubt that the remaining 27 passengers of the train attack are still being held by their abductors, nearly 5 months after the unfortunate and preventable incident.
“Though I have disengaged myself from negotiating, anxious family members, pressmen and concerned Nigerians have been calling to confirm the veracity of the news while many others justifiably have been celebrating and even congratulating relatives of the innocent victims.
“While it is a news we are all praying earnestly to hear, it is highly irresponsible for peddlers of fake news to circulate sensitive contents that are not only unverifiable, untrue but news items that will certainly trigger anxiety and concerned amongst the family members of those that remained in captivity and millions of their well-wishers across the globe.
“The condition of the remaining victims is still very bad, many of them are sick, the raining season is affecting them so much. I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify efforts in securing their release immediately as the situation remains highly unpredictable while the families of those that are still in the bush are incapacitated in whatever way to negotiate the safe release of their loved ones,” he said.
It would be recalled that about 63 passengers were kidnapped during the attack and 36 of them have so far been released in batches after payment of ransom except for 11 of the victims.
