The oldest kidnapped passenger in the ill fated AK 9 Abuja-Kaduna train and a grandmother, Mama Halimatu Atta who is 90 years old was released by the terrorists on Friday, with her 53-year-old daughter, Adama Atta.
Also released were an Islamic cleric, Mohammed Sani Abdulmaji popularly known as M.S Ustaz and Alhaji Modin Modi Bodinga, an indigene of Sokoto State.
Sources said Mama Halimatu and her daughter Adama had landed in Abuja from Saudi Arabia where they performed the lesser Hajj in March 2022.
The joy of family members waiting at the Rigasa train station in Kaduna to welcome the duo from pilgrimage was however turned into nightmare with the news of the train attack that fateful night.
Speaking with newsmen in Kaduna on Friday evening, former negotiator and Media Consultant to Sheikh Gumi, Malam Tukur Mamu Dan Iyan Fika, said “I can confirm that earlier on Friday, four additional victims of the train attack were released by their abductors.”
He said “the four released victims just left my office. They said they came collectively to thank me for the past efforts I made to mediate on their behalf and for convincing their abductors to drop the threats of executing them and to plead for all stakeholders especially the Federal Government to intensify efforts as the condition of the remaining 23 victims they left at the forest is pathetic.”
According to Mamu, “those that were released on Friday included the oldest victim, a grandmother, Mama Halimatu Atta. She is 90 years old.