President Muhammadu Buhari told several passengers who were kidnapped in a train attack in northern Nigeria during the end of March are now being used as human shields by their kidnappers. This has further complicated the rescue efforts.
In a statement to mark Eid Al Fitr, the Nigerian leader stated, “They are using civilians as human shields, therefore making it hard to confront them directly. Terrorists and Bandits, unlike professional soldiers, do not respect the rules of engagement; they do not care about killing their captives if they come under attack.”
Around eight people were killed, and more than 24 got injured when gunmen opened fire on a crowded commuter train which was travelling from the capital Abuja to the northern city of Kaduna on 28 March.
According to the sources, a survivor of the attack said that at the time, the train was hit by two huge explosions before the gunmen opened fire on passengers.
The eyewitness, Musa Bashir Usman, said, after they bombed the tracks, the shooters surrounded the train and opened fire.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation could not locate over 168 passengers of the ambushed train. As per the sources, a pregnant woman was among them who were kidnapped during this incident, and she gave birth while in captivity.
President Buhari further stated that he had “ordered security agencies to assure safe and quick recovery of all victims of kidnapping while asking railway management of Nigeria to set up an emergency room to coordinate for the rescue mission and per minute contact with the families of the ones who are kidnapped.
Fatal invasions and abduction for ransom by gunmen locally known as “bandits” have become a constant problem around Nigeria in recent years, even as the nation is handling the Boko Haram terrorist group.
On Monday, President added in his statement, “There are fears that bandits will rise to yet another big challenge as we face down the Boko Haram threat. Let me ensure Nigerians that this administration will not let such things to happen.”
