At least 11 of the passengers who boarded the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train in March have regained freedom.

The captives spent over 70 days in kidnappers’ den before they were released after intense negotiation.

Six female and five male captives were released on Saturday.

Publisher of Desert Herald, Tukur Mamu, served as a mediator in the deal that led to their release.

Here are the names of the freed captives:

• Amina Ba’aba Mohammed
• Rashida Yusuf Busari
• Jessey John
• Hannah Ajewole
• Amina Jibril
• Najib Mohammed Dahiru
• Hassan Aliyu
• Peace A. Boy
• Danjuma Sa’idu
• Gaius Gambo

Mamu, who had not disclosed identity of the 11th passenger as of the time of this report, said President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief of Defence Staff as well as other security agencies must be commended for their roles in the release.

He added that Ahmad Gumi equally played a crucial role behind the scene.

“He was involved from the first day I started. In fact, I accepted that role because of his directives to that effect. Even the final arrangement of how and the safest place to get the victims was arranged and coordinated by him,” he said of Gumi.

Earlier, the abductors had demanded the release of eight of their children said to have been in the custody of the Federal Government.

Daily Trust