Despite forgiving his abductor, Muhammad said he would never forgive the government…after 196 days in captivity, govt only gave us drip and anti-malaria treatment
Comrade M. Muhammad, a victim of the March 28, 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack, has revealed details of a chance encounter with one of his kidnappers at a mosque in Kaduna.
In an interview with Daily Trust, Muhammad narrated that he recognized his former abductor, identified as Abubakar, during prayers. “He was shocked to see me, but I smiled at him, which made him comfortable,” Muhammad recalled.
They later stepped outside for a conversation, where Abubakar disclosed he had repented and now earns a living riding a motorcycle. “He also told me that one of their notorious commanders, Baba Adamu, had been killed by soldiers, and I was happy to hear that,” Muhammad said.
Despite forgiving Abubakar, Muhammad said he would never forgive the government, blaming its negligence for the attack. “The train was attacked due to the government’s negligence. Intelligence reports warned of a potential attack, but nothing was done,” he alleged.
He further criticized the lack of post-release support, noting survivors were left to deal with trauma alone.
“We spent 196 days in captivity… the government did nothing apart from giving us drip and anti-malaria treatment,” he stated, adding that many victims sought therapy at their own expense.