Kaduna – President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, visited the freed 23 passengers of the March 28, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) hospital in Kaduna where they are currently undergoing medical evaluation.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
“President made an impromptu visit to the hospital to see the victims of the train attack after commissioning Cadets of 69 Regular Course (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the NDA, in Afaka, Kaduna State.
“Before boarding NAF 001 back to Abuja from the Kaduna International Airport, President Buhari detoured to the hospital, where he also thanked the Nigerian military for their brave services in securing the safe release of the hostages from Boko Haram terrorists.
“Members of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, led by Maj.-Gen Usman Abdulkadir (Rtd), who facilitated the release of the hostages, were present at the hospital.
“Others are Maj.-Gen Adamu Jalingo (Rtd), Brig.-Gen Abubakar Saad (Rtd), Dr Murtala Ahmed Rufai, Ibrahim Abdulllahi, Amb Ahmed Magaji, and Prof Yusuf Usman, Secretary.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor had earlier introduced the Committee members and briefed the President,” he said in the statement.
It would be recalled, that the remaining 23 abducted Abuja train kidnapped passengers regain their freedom on Wednesday, October 5.
President Buhari has also expressed his happiness and satisfaction, and that of the entire nation with the military as well as other security agencies on safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists.
In a reaction to the news of the safe release of the hostages in line with his earlier directives, President Buhari said the nation owed the military and all other security and intelligence agencies a debt of gratitude for the successful conduct of the operation leading to the release of the hostages.
According to him, these agencies had shown outstanding capabilities over this period that the whole world will not fail to take note of.
“This country’s Armed Forces are as good as any. Given needed support and encouragement as we have been doing, there is no task that they cannot accomplish.
“I commend them for this remarkable outcome,” the President said.
In expressing satisfaction with the successful deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic processes leading to the eventual safe release of the remaining hostages, Buhari also congratulated the families of the victims for having them back alive.
He directed that the relief that comes to the nation arising from the closure of this unfortunate saga must be sustained at all times, all over the federation.
The President also credited his government for resolving the issue and the de-escalation of the terrorism, banditry and kidnapping that surged recently, giving assurances that the efforts will be sustained.(Tribune/vitalnewsngr.com)
