Nigeria: Victims of ambushed prepare getting used as human shields by kidnappers, president says
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Buhari stated this had additional difficult rescue efforts.
“They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly … Bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, don’t respect the rules of engagement; they don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack,” the Nigerian chief stated in a press release to mark Monday’s Eid al-Fitr celebration.
A minimum of eight individuals had been killed and greater than two dozen injured when gunmen opened fireplace on a packed commuter prepare touring from the capital Abuja to the northern metropolis of Kaduna on March 28.
A survivor of the assault advised CNN on the time that the prepare was hit by two explosions earlier than the gunmen opened fireplace on trapped passengers. After bombing the tracks, the gunmen surrounded the carriages and opened fireplace, stated eyewitness Musa Bashir Usman.
A video of some kidnapped victims surrounded by masked armed males additionally surfaced, however CNN couldn’t independently confirm the footage.
President Buhari stated he had “directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping” whereas urging Nigeria’s railway administration “to set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and minute-by-minute engagement with the families of the captives.”
Lethal invasions and kidnapping for ransom by gunmen identified regionally as ‘bandits’ have grow to be a persistent downside throughout Nigeria lately, even because the nation scrambles to include the infamous Boko Haram terrorist group.
“There are fears that bandits will grow to yet another big challenge as we face down the Boko Haram threat,” Buhari added in his Monday assertion. “Let me assure Nigerians that this administration will not allow such to happen.”
Buhari’s assertion got here as UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres launched into a Ramadan solidarity go to to the nation to indicate assist for victims of terrorism.
Guterres additionally visited Senegal and Niger the place he met households affected by violence and instability within the Sahel area, together with internally displaced individuals, his workplace stated.
