By Achadu Gabriel Kaduna
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, met with the 23 freed passengers of the March 28, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) hospital in Kaduna.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
According to the statement, the “President made an impromptu visit to the hospital to see the victims of the train attack after commissioning Cadets of 69 Regular Course (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the NDA, in Afaka, Kaduna State.
“Before boarding NAF 001 back to Abuja from the Kaduna International Airport, President Buhari detoured to the hospital, where he also thanked the Nigerian military for their brave services in securing the safe release of the hostages from Boko Haram terrorists.
“Members of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, led by Maj.-Gen Usman Abdulkadir (Rtd), who facilitated the release of the hostages, were present at the hospital.
“Others are Maj.-Gen Adamu Jalingo (Rtd), Brig.-Gen Abubakar Saad (Rtd), Dr Murtala Ahmed Rufai, Ibrahim Abdulllahi, Amb Ahmed Magaji, and Prof Yusuf Usman, Secretary, it stated.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor had earlier introduced the Committee members and briefed the President.
It would be recalled that the remaining 23 abducted 62 Abuja bound train passengers regain their freedom on Wednesday.
A source who pleaded anonymity remarked that immediately they were released they were conveyed to the military facility in Kaduna.
It was still not clear on whether ransom was paid and how much was paid as at the time of filling this report, unauthorized information however had it that money was heavily paid inform of contributions from churches also.
