Freed train passenger: We slept on bare ground in forest for weeks

One of the recently released Abuja-Kaduna train attack passengers, Hassan Uthman, has narrated his four-month ordeal in captivity, saying the abductees slept on the bare ground in the forest for weeks.

Uthman, who was among the three passengers released by the terrorists on Monday, disclosed that the abductors later provided them mats.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa service, the released train passenger said they were severely beaten by the terrorists.

The gunmen had released a video showing the victims being tortured in captivity.

The terrorists, in the video, also threatened to kill the abducted train passengers and sell out others if their demands are not met by the Federal Government.

Narrating his ordeal, Uthman said: “We were seriously beaten as seen in the video and it is as a result of failure to rescue us by government. Because of the government’s attitude, they were angered and they thoroughly beat us.

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“We were severely flogged and that was just the beginning. This makes me to pity those that are still with them in the forest.”

He further stated that they were fed by the terrorists, adding: “At times, they even slaughtered cattle and sheep for us. Even day before yesterday they slaughtered a cow and we ate, we thank Allah.

“I couldn’t locate the forest we were taken, since the Federal Government had failed to rescue us for the past 4 months, the international community should come in and rescue the remaining victims who were in a pitiable condition in the forest.

“Our relatives facilitated our release, they initially tried but government stopped them and now succeeded.

“I don’t know if they paid ransom or not, three of us are released today, the remaining in captivity are up to 40,” Uthman disclosed.

The Star