Panic among relatives as bandits hold missing train passengers

There is panic among families and relatives of kidnapped victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train, which came under terror attack on Monday.

It was learnt the abductors have kept the families in suspense though they didn’t make any demand for ransom after contacting them.

One of the families said the abductors contacted them but only confirmed their daughter and many other passengers were with them.

A family source, who does not want his name in the print, said the bandits called on Tuesday night but did not request the ransom.

According to the source, “they called on Tuesday night and told us our sister and other missing passengers are with them in their camps and she is safe. They didn’t talk more than that. They just cut off the call

“Now, we are scared, we are just praying to God for intervention and her safety. We are pleading with the kidnappers to release her for us,” he said.

A Kaduna- based journalist, whose mother and elder sister were kidnapped, confirmed the bandits contacted his elder brother.

The journalist said his mother and sister arrived from Saudi Arabia and was returning to Kaduna when they were caught up in the ill-fated train.

“My mum and sister Adama were in the train and they were among those that were not accounted for. But now, the bandits have contacted my elder brother but they didn’t ask for ransom yet. They have told us that my mum and sister are with them in the forest.

“Please, join in prayer for their safe return. We are praying fervently that nothing bad will happen to them and others in the custody,” he stated.

Workers at the headquarters of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) whose Managing Director, Malam Kabiir Adamu, was among abducted passengers, were in a sober mood, praying for his safe return.

Some of them said they were shocked by the Managing Director’s abduction. (The Nation)