Hassan Usman, one of the victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, said the terrorists flogged him and other hostages on Sunday because they were angered by the Nigerian ‘government’s attitude’ towards their demands.
Gatekeepers News reports that terrorists who are believed to be members of the Islamic State of West African Province, attacked and abducted over 60 passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28. On Sunday, they released a video of them flogging the hostages and also threatening to kill and sell them if the government refuse to act on their demands.
Usman, a lawyer, was one of those who spoke in the video where they urged the United Nations, the United Kingdom, and the Community of Nations to intervene.
Usman while speaking in an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation, expressed gratitude to God for regaining his freedom and said he pitied those who are still in the terrorists’ den.
He said on Friday, the families of the victims attempted to rescue them but the government did not allow them to proceed on the journey.
Usman said another attempt was made successfully on Monday, which led to the release of the three from captivity
He said, “the government has failed in providing security for life and property. It has failed to rescue us.
“I don’t know whether ransom was paid to rescue us.
“When the rain started; they erected makeshift shelters for us. They fed us according to their capacity. At times, they even slaughtered cattle and sheep for us. Even yesterday they slaughtered a cow and we ate; we thank Allah.
“Because of the government’s attitude, they were angered and they thoroughly beat us. We were severely flogged and that was just the beginning. This makes me pity those that are still with them in the forest.”
