The families of passengers kidnapped by terrorists during the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack have staged a protest at the Radio House in Abuja, calling on the federal government to double its efforts in rescuing their loved ones.
Aliyu Mahmud, a relative of the seven-month pregnant woman, was among the victims’ families who staged a peaceful protest on Thursday.
The protesters, who bore placards, spoke with reporters.
Mahmud said: “I have my sister who is seven months pregnant with her husband. Words cannot explain what they are going through and what we are going through.
“Please, the government should do the needful and let this come to an end as soon as possible. They should try as much as possible to reach out to the perpetrators and rescue our loved ones.
“There are children there, pregnant women, the sick, the aged and only God knows what they are going through. They have been in captivity for ten days, so you can only imagine what they are going through and how it is affecting us.
“Whatever we do, we think of them. When we eat, we think of them. When we sleep, anything we do, we think of them. We are pleading with the government to please do the needful so that this situation will come to an end as soon as possible.”
Another protester, Aminu Uthman, said it had been some difficult ten days since his brother and wife were abducted.
“My immediate younger brother and his wife are amongst the victims. It is a nightmare and the most difficult ten days I have has in my life. I cannot sleep or eat. A lot of things are going wrong.
“The bandits called only once and they gave him the phone to speak to us. They are yet to make any request but they called and he is with them.
“We voted for this government because of insecurity. We had the trust that they would address insecurity. This protest is not for the family members alone, it is for Nigerians generally. This thing can happen to anybody,” he said.
Another relative, Hajia Idayat Yusuf, pleaded for the release of her two sisters.
She said: “It has been hell for me. My two sisters from the same parents were abducted. Some of those abducted have underlying ailments such as ulcers, diabetes, hypertension and there is no medication. We are really concerned.
“In the last ten days, it has been hell, we cannot sleep, and we cannot eat. We are fasting but we are fasting abnormally. We are really begging that the government should come to our rescue.
“Please, the government should come to the aid of those that are alive. We are sorry for those that have lost their lives. We sympathise with the families of those in the hospital but for those alive, at least, bring them back. We are appealing to the government to do something.”
Terrorists on March 28 blew up rail tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna route, killing eight passengers.
No fewer than 41 people were injured. Many were abducted.
The terrorists threatened to kill the other hostages if the government does not do “what we want”.
