By Iliya Kure
Reports say, the attackers of last week’s Kaduna-bound train, who also abducted unspecified number of passengers from the train have released Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Alwan Hassan, who was among abducted passengers.
Mr Hassan was said to have been released alongside few other passengers, who were also abducted during the attack on the train.
Last week Monday evening, attackers used explosives to damage and derail the moving train before opening fire on passengers with bullets.
Government statement says, during the attack, 8 persons were killed, several others injured, while unspecified number of passengers were abducted.
A family source who sought anonymity told journalists that a ransom was paid on Tuesday evening.
“I’ve spoken with him today. And I know that ransom was paid, but I don’t know how much. I’m not in the position to tell you that. All I know is that I am happy for him and the family,” the source said.
One of the victims of the train attack, Haruna Funtua, a retired military sergeant, was said to have died from injuries sustained during the attack.
A family source said Mr Funtua, who was a one-time State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers in Katsina, died Tuesday morning at 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna where he was being treated.
A relative of the deceased, Ismail Muhammad, told journalists that, “he has been buried… according to Islamic rites in Funtua,”