By Disun Amosun
Amidst palpable fears following recent reports of the shooting of one of the captives of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train journey, the affected family members have intensified their plea to relevant agencies of government to hasten the release of their loved ones still in captivity.
Two such family members, who spoke on behalf of others, in a visit to the House of Representatives, implored the lawmakers to urgently intervene in the matter in effecting their release.
They were received by two members, Hon Bamidele Salam, from Osun State and Hon. Manu Soro Masur, from Bauchi State who represented the 11 lawmakers that have been pushing for the release of the captives.
According to the spouse of one of the kidnapped victims, Matilda Kabir, it was shocking to learn that recently, one of the victims was shot dead.
She said they feared not knowing who would be the next victim and the trauma on them can only be best imagined.
“We are here to plead with the House of Representatives. The news we are getting is not favourable. We are here to beg them to help us. It is not funny again. The news we got this morning is that one person was shot.
“We don’t know who is next. My husband is there. We don’t know if it would be any other person. Nigerians should help. My husband is in captivity. They have been suffering. Imagine sleeping and standing there for 94 days. We are going to a hundred days. Please help us,” she pleaded.
Another family member, Aminu Lawal Uthman, whose brother was abducted, said more pressure should be put on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure their release.
“We are here to meet members of the House to continue pleading on efforts to release our family members because of the news we got this morning that one of the captives was shot. It is terrible news.
“We are here to meet the right people to do the right thing to put more pressure on the FG and security agencies to do more to get the captives released. Every second is very important,” he said.
Responding, Rep. Salam said it was horrible to have little children, sick people, and the elderly held in such a hostile environment by the abductors.
