The publisher of the Desert Herald newspaper, a Kaduna-based newspaper, Tukur Mamu, has assisted in negotiating the release of seven hostages who were abducted from the Kaduna-bound train that was attacked by gunmen in March.
Mr Mamu, who is also a media consultant to a popular Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, helped in securing the release of 11 hostages in June.
According to the Desert Herald, those released on Saturday are Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule and Sadiq Ango Abdullahi.
Others are Muhammad Daiyabu Paki, Aliyu Usman and and a Pakistani Muhammad Abuzar Afzal.
Though Mr Mamu had earlier announced he was withdrawing from mediating between the government and the gunmen because of what he said was the government’s lukewarm involvement, he decided to resume negotiation with the gunmen after he was reportedly convinced by notably family members of the hostages to reconsider his decision.
Like the previous release, Mr Mamu said he initiated the latest release of the abducted persons with the support of his principal, Sheik Gumi.
He thanked the military for the support they rendered during the rescue mission of the hostages.
“After the victims were successfully evacuated, travelling through over 40 kilometres in the forest, they were given a military escort back to Kaduna,” Mr Mamu said.
Mr Mamu said no ransom was paid for the release of the hostages.
