Responding to the release of the remaining 23 Abuja-Kaduna train passengers held in captivity by gunmen, Osai Ojigho said:
“The Nigerian authorities must ensure that the gunmen that abducted and subjected the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers to torture and other degrading treatment must be brought to justice.”
“No one should have to face abductions, torture, and such inhumane treatment. The Nigerian authorities must take urgent steps to ensure better protection of the people and prevent such attacks from happening, they have a duty to protect the people and hold those responsible for these abhorrent crimes accountable”
“Six months after being abducted and held in captivity by armed bandits suspected to be members of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), the 23 remaining captives of the Abuja- Kaduna inbound train attack were released on 5 October 2022, according to news reports.”
“The 23 released captives were among the group of 65 passengers abducted by armed bandits on 28 March 2022, during an unprovoked attack on the Abuja-Kaduna inbound train carrying more than 362 passengers, at least 8 people were killed during the attack. In the months that followed, several of the abducted passengers were either released on compassionate grounds or after agreeing to the terrorist demands according to the news report.”
“While in captivity, the abducted passengers were repeatedly threatened to be killed, starved, and the video of them being beaten and dehumanized was shared widely on 24 July.”
Amnesty International has consistently called for an end to the rising insecurity, the release of victims of armed groups’ attacks still held in captivity, and investigations into all cases of attacks by armed bandits and Boko Haram insurgents.
Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria
“Hundreds of people remain in captivity in different parts of the country, including the 11 female school children abducted on 21 June 2021 at Federal Government College, Birnin-Yauri in Kebbi, and the Chibok school children abducted on 14 April 2014.”
“Nigerian authorities should thoroughly investigate and address the conditions that led to the successful abductions and killings of its people instead of celebrating the release of captives that should never have been abducted in the first place.”