The kidnappers of the Kaduna train passengers have released five additional hostages on Tuesday.
It was not clear how much ransom the families of the hostages paid to secure their eventual freedom.
The freed hostages are Prof. Mustapha Umar Imam, a medical doctor at the Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUS), Sokoto, Akibu Lawal, Abubakar Ahmed Rufai, MukHtar Shuaibu and Sidi Aminu Sharif.
Their release was confirmed by the Kaduna-based publisher Tukur Mamu.
– Background –
On March 28, the terrorists launched an attack on the train in Kaduna, killing nine persons, injuring 28 others and kidnapping 63 passengers. Two passengers were later freed.
Mr Mamu, had facilitated the release of 11 passengers on June 11.
On July 11, families of another six hostages paid N100m each ransom to secure the release of their loved ones.
On July 5, Boko Haram fighters believed to be Kaduna train attackers, stormed Kuje Prison in Abuja, freeing 879 inmates, including 69 terrorists in its custody.
On July 5, the terrorists attacked the convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari in Dutsinma, Katsina state, hours after killing an Assistant Police Commissioner in the area.
On July 24, the kidnappers threatened to abduct President Muhammadu Buhari and Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai in a new video as they mercilessly flogged the hostages.
The terrorists freed additional three passengers comprising a female and two males on July 25.
