Terrorist planning to marry 21-year-old Kaduna train attack victim, says negotiator

Tukur Mamu, media consultant to Ahmad Gumi, the popular Islamic cleric, says a top bandit commander has planned to marry one of the abducted victims of the Kaduna train attack.

Mamu, who is involved in negotiations with the terrorists, revealed this on Friday while announcing the release of four other victims from the attack.

He identified the victim as 21-year-old Azurfa Lois John, “the youngest victim of the train attack”.

The publisher of Desert Herald called on the federal government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to facilitate the release of Azurfa before the marriage goes through.

“This is to alert the federal government and especially the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that I can confirm through credible information at my disposal that if urgent action is not taken to immediately secure the release of the youngest victim of the train attack, a 21-year-old Azurfa Lois John, the abductors as they have done in the case of Leah Sharibu, are planning to marry her any moment from now,” Mamu said.

“One of the top commanders is said to be in love with her. This important information should be treated with the urgency it deserves.

“Even though I know that releasing this information will not only unsettle her immediate family and loved ones, but Nigerians as a whole, it is necessary to do so to avoid the repeat of Leah Sharibu’s case.

“I advise CAN in particular not to politicise this issue or reduce it to mere press releases as I have seen in the past but to work closely with relevant authorities to engage the abductors on her case as soon as possible before it is late.

“I pray that in view of the uncertainties which are becoming alarming, the federal government will also act very fast to ensure the release of all the remaining victims.”

On March 28, a train on its way from Abuja was attacked by bandits in Kaduna state.

Several persons were killed, while many were abducted during the attack.

Since the incident, the abductors have been releasing the captives in batches, while some are still in captivity.

Mama Halimatu Atta, a 90-year-old woman, and her daughter, Adama Atta Aliyu, are among the four newly released victims.

The others are Mohammed Sani Abdulmaji (M.S Ustaz) and Modin Modi Bodinga.

With the release of the four victims, 28 other passengers are still being held by the terrorists.