Crime
Train attack: 7 more hostages breathe the air of freedom
Seven more hostages from the Kaduna-Abuja train attack have breathed the air of freedom.
The Media Consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar, Mallam Tukur Mamu (Dan-Iyan Fika) has on Saturday said he facilitated the release of another seven of the Kaduna -Abuja train attack victims from their abductors.
Among those said to released by the terrorists were Ango Abdullahi’s son, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, a foreign national of Pakistani origin, Dr Muhammad Abuzar Afzal, Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki and Aliyu Usman.
Mamu was instrumental in the dialogue that led to the release of the eleven victims of the train attack and reportedly succeeded in convincing the abductors of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers to drop the recent threat of slaughtering their victims.
Mamu said he has been under pressure from family members of the victims to reconsider his stand of withdrawing from facilitation of the victims release, in view of the respect and confidence the abductors have in his ability to sincerely engage in dialogue.
Mamu said the release of victims has vindicated Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi about what the power of mediation can achieve.
“I want to assure the nation that everything that was achieved today was singlehandedly initiated and arranged by me with the full support and prayers of my principal, Sheikh Gumi. That is why I keep emphasising that government has the power to end the agony of this innocent victims in one day. This is just one individual that sacrifice his life and even integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria. When you sincerely engage them this guys even though wicked with misguided religious beliefs, they are listening. I have sufficient evidence to probe that they due listen. It is this power of engagement and sincerity that resulted to the release of this 7 victims.
“In whatever I do I don’t need or require any reward from anybody but from Allah but I hope the nation we sacrificed our lives for will recognize us”
“Mamu said the seven rescued victims have been handed over to the military and are now on their way to Kaduna. He thank the Kaduna military GOC for the support he gave during the rescue mission.
“The location they (abductors) gave is remote, sensitive and risky. There was a military checkpoint before penetrating the forest. My team was stopped by the soldiers but when they told the military our mission they contacted the GCO and he immediately gave approval for them to proceed. And after the victims were successfully evacuated, travelling through over 40 kilometers in the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint”
But Mamu lamented that despite the poor medical condition of many of the rescued victims, securities that took over are unnecessarily wasting their time in a military unit at the outskirts of Kaduna and advice that authorities should Train attack: Terrorists free Ango Abdulllahi’s son, foreigner, others
By Abdulganiyu Alabi, Kaduna
09 July 2022 | 7:24 pm

[FILES] The train attacked on the Abuja-Kaduna Railway at Rijana Kagarko LGA, in Kaduna.
Seven abductees from the Kaduna-Abuja train attack have been released.
The Media Consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar, Mallam Tukur Mamu (Dan-Iyan Fika) has on Saturday said he facilitated the release of another seven of the Kaduna -Abuja train attack victims from their abductors.
Among those said to be released by the terrorists includes Ango Abdullahi’s son, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, a foreign national of Pakistani origin, Dr Muhammad Abuzar Afzal, Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Muhammad Daiyabu Paki and Aliyu Usman.
Mamu was instrumental in the dialogue that led to the release of the eleven victims of the train attack and reportedly succeeded in convincing the abductors of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers to drop the recent threat of slaughtering their victims.
Mamu said he has been under pressure from family members of the victims to reconsider his stand of withdrawing from facilitation of the victims release, in view of the respect and confidence the abductors have in his ability to sincerely engage in dialogue.
Mamu said the release of victims has vindicated Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi about what the power of mediation can achieve.
“I want to assure the nation that everything that was achieved today was singlehandedly initiated and arranged by me with the full support and prayers of my principal, Sheikh Gumi. That is why I keep emphasising that government has the power to end the agony of this innocent victims in one day. This is just one individual that sacrifice his life and even integrity. There is no military solution to the current security debacle in Nigeria. When you sincerely engage them this guys even though wicked with misguided religious beliefs, they are listening. I have sufficient evidence to probe that they due listen. It is this power of engagement and sincerity that resulted to the release of this 7 victims.
“In whatever I do I don’t need or require any reward from anybody but from Allah but I hope the nation we sacrificed our lives for will recognize us”
“Mamu said the seven rescued victims have been handed over to the military and are now on their way to Kaduna. He thank the Kaduna military GOC for the support he gave during the rescue mission.
“The location they (abductors) gave is remote, sensitive and risky. There was a military checkpoint before penetrating the forest. My team was stopped by the soldiers but when they told the military our mission they contacted the GCO and he immediately gave approval for them to proceed. And after the victims were successfully evacuated, travelling through over 40 kilometers in the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna at the checkpoint”
But Mamu lamented that despite the poor medical condition of many of the rescued victims, securities that took over are unnecessarily wasting their time in a military unit at the outskirts of Kaduna and advice that authorities should hasten effort to take them to a medical facility for urgent evaluation.
When asked whether money was involved in securing the release of the victims, Mamu said “the 7 rescued victims are in the best position to confirm that. Money cannot achieve what I have done today. And I will never involved myself on any issue that has to do with money. I am also under serious watch. I am sure if they have evidence against me I cannot be talking freely the manner I used to do. However, this is no time for blame game. We must come together as a nation to confront our challenges. I pray and hope that government will learn a lot of lessons in the development of today. We thank Allah that He uses us to make many happy”.
Mamu has also pleaded with the families of the remaining victims to actively engage the government to secure the release of their loved ones and insisted that with what he has proven again, he will not be involved in such a risky mission again.
the effort to take them to a medical facility for urgent evaluation.
When asked whether money was involved in securing the release of the victims, Mamu said “the 7 rescued victims are in the best position to confirm that. Money cannot achieve what I have done today. And I will never involve myself in any issue that has to do with money. I am also under serious watch. I am sure if they have evidence against me I cannot be talking freely in the manner I used to do. However, this is no time for the blame game. We must come together as a nation to confront our challenges. I pray and hope that government will learn a lot of lessons in the development of today. We thank Allah that He uses us to make many happy”.
Mamu has also pleaded with the families of the remaining victims to actively engage the government to secure the release of their loved ones and insisted that with what he has proven again, he will not be involved in such a risky mission again.
Culled from the Guardian
A 23-year-old robbery suspect, Godwin Emmanuel, has confessed to stealing a police officer’s phone while being transported in a patrol van to the Osun State Police Command. Emmanuel, along with suspects Olajide Kareem (28) and Emmanuel Mike (33), was arrested for allegedly robbing motorists on the Ilesa-Osu Expressway.
The Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, provided details on Friday, revealing that the suspects had been targeting drivers and passengers, stealing valuables, and in one incident, shooting a bus driver in the leg. The driver was rushed to Seventh-day Adventist Hospital in Ile-Ife for treatment. Kareem was caught hiding in the bush shortly after one of the robberies, admitting he was part of a five-man gang from Ikorodu, Lagos State. Police later detained the other two suspects.
In an unexpected turn, Emmanuel confessed to swiping a phone from one of the officers escorting him. He said, “I didn’t know the phone belonged to a policeman. I took it because I wanted to contact my family, who didn’t know I’d been arrested.” Emmanuel admitted to removing the SIM card and hiding the phone in his cell until officers discovered it during a search.
“I ask them to forgive me. I didn’t mean any harm,” he pleaded, expressing regret over the incident.
The Osun State Police Command noted that investigations are still ongoing and reiterated its commitment to curbing criminal activities and ensuring public safety.
The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that the newly emerged terrorist group, Lukarawa, has begun recruiting members via social media platforms, but reassured Nigerians that security forces are aware of the situation and are taking steps to prevent the group from gaining ground.
The group is believed to be operating in the northern states of Sokoto and Kebbi, areas that have seen a rise in violent incidents linked to the group.
According to Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Media Operations at the DHQ, *Lukarawa* has recently escalated its activities by using social media to attract new recruits, primarily targeting young people with sermons and welfare incentives. This marks a shift in the group’s recruitment strategy, which has traditionally been more localized.
“The group has started utilizing online platforms, showcasing sermons and offering welfare packages to entice potential recruits,” Buba explained. “However, we are fully aware of their plans, and our forces are actively working with other security agencies and state governments to counter their efforts.”
Lukarawa;s presence has been particularly felt in Sokoto and Kebbi states, where they have carried out a series of attacks. The latest incident occurred in Mera town, Kebbi State, on Friday, when militants attacked during the Friday Jumaat prayers, killing at least 15 people and stealing over 100 cattle. The violence has left communities shaken and has raised concerns over the group’s growing presence in the region.
While *Lukarawa* is being described as a new group, former Department of State Services (DSS) Director Mike Ejiofor noted that the group has actually been active since 2018, initially operating in the Niger Republic. The group was reportedly formed by a local leader named Nassala, and after his death, the group moved into Nigeria, with some elements settling in Sokoto.
Ejiofor suggested that the group, despite its recent spike in visibility, does not currently pose a serious national security threat. “Although they have been operating in the region for some time, their numbers are still small, and they have not grown to the point where they can pose a significant threat to national security,” he said. “Our intelligence agencies have been monitoring their activities closely.”
The former DSS director also highlighted that the group’s recruitment efforts could be countered through stronger intelligence operations and greater cooperation from local communities. He stressed the need for residents to report any suspicious activities to security agencies to prevent the group from gaining further traction.
“This group is still small, but we cannot afford to be complacent,” Ejiofor said. “The community has a vital role to play in supporting security efforts. Reporting suspicious movements and activities is key to stopping these groups from spreading.”
In response to growing concerns, the DHQ has reassured the public that security forces are monitoring the situation and will take all necessary measures to protect lives and property. The military has also called on local communities to cooperate fully, as the fight against insurgent groups requires a united front.
The emergence of Lukarawa serves as a reminder of the ongoing security challenges in the northern regions of Nigeria, where various groups continue to exploit local grievances and instability. While the DHQ remains confident in its ability to contain the group, authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of extremist activities.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has reported another incident of vandalism on the Lokoja–Gwagwalada power transmission line. Unknown vandals have damaged three towers along this route, affecting power transmission.
According to a statement from Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs, the vandals also removed two spans of aluminum conductor from line one. Although the transmission line is a double-circuit, TCN is supplying bulk power through the undamaged line two, while efforts are underway to source replacement conductors for the damaged line.
The statement expressed TCN’s alarm over the increasing vandalism incidents, which pose a significant threat to the reliability and growth of Nigeria’s power infrastructure. TCN is appealing to local communities and security agencies to work together to protect these critical assets from further damage.
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