Senator Buhari Seeks Chinese Govt’s Help In Release Of Abducted Kaduna-Abuja Train Victims

The Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Abdufatai Buhari, speaks during an oversight of the Moniya Railway station in Ibadan on May 11, 2022.

The Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Abdufatai Buhari, on Wednesday asked the Chinese government to show concern for the passengers abducted in the Abuja-Kaduna rail Corridor.

Gunmen had attacked a Kaduna-bound train on March 28, killing eight people and injuring over 20 several passengers. Others were also whisked away by the bandits who have made contact with the victims’ families demanding ransom.

Addressing the Deputy Managing Director of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Xia Lijun, during oversight of the Moniya Railway station in Ibadan, Buhari chided the Chinese government for being silent.

While applauding the projects embarked upon by Chinese workers in the country, he decried the worsening level of insecurity.

He noted that if Chinese citizens were involved in the attack, the Chinese government would have taken some measures to rescue them.

Buhari regretted that the victims have not been rescued from the kidnappers’ den 47 days after their abduction, adding that the security of infrastructure in the country must be upgraded for users to have a better experience.

“In as much as Nigerians are pleased with the train, it has become a source of sadness today. Today is exactly 47 days that our brothers and sisters are in captivity.

“Yesterday, the members of the families (of the victims) met with Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai. The accusation was even against us in the National Assembly and against your government. What efforts are you guys making as a country to assist Nigeria in rescuing these people?

“If it is ransom if it is a force, what are you supposed to do? Nigerians are not taking it lightly with us and don’t want to take the train again.

‘I am appealing to you to help the Federal Government. It causes you nothing (as) you people are going to Russia to help Russia against Ukraine,” he said while addressing the Chinese contractor.

“Instead of going to Russia, bring some of the equipment here. Come and give us the survey. The technology with you guys has gone higher.”