President Buhari commends military for release of train hostages

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), expressed his happiness and satisfaction with the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists.

He also commended the military as well as other security agencies for its development.

“I commend them for this remarkable outcome,” said the President in a reaction to the news of the safe release of the hostages in line with his earlier directives.

This is according to a statement signed late Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘President Buhari welcomes release of train hostages, urges military to sustain momentum.’

The PUNCH reported that around 4 pm Wednesday, terrorists released the last set of hostages taken during an attack on a Kaduna-bound train on March 28, 2022.

The Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, confirmed that the Nigerian military secured the release of the remaining 23 hostages.

In his reaction, 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, saying that 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.

According to him, the relief that comes to the nation arising from the closure of the six-month saga must be sustained at all times, nationwide.

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.