ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with the freed 23 passengers of the March 28, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack who are recuperating at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) hospital in Kaduna.
According to a statement by Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, the meeting between the president and the freed hostages was an impromptu one.
He said Buhari decided to visit the hospital to see the victims of the train attack after commissioning Cadets of 69 Regular Course (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the NDA, in Afaka, Kaduna State.
The presidential spokesman also noted that before boarding NAF 001 back to Abuja from the Kaduna International Airport, President Buhari detoured to the hospital, where he also thanked the Nigerian military for their brave services in securing the safe release of the hostages from Boko Haram terrorists.
He added that members of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, led by Maj.- Gen. Usman Abdulkadir (rtd), who facilitated the release of the train victims, were present at the hospital.
Others were Maj.-Gen AdamuJalingo(rtd), Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Saad (rtd), Dr. Murtala Ahmed Rufai, Ibrahim Abdulllahi, Amb. Ahmed Magaji and Prof Yusuf Usman, Secretary.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor had earlier introduced the committee members and briefed the president.
The president had upon receipt of the news of the freed hostages expressed his excitement and had noted that the military high command which facilitated their releasede served commendations from Nigerians.