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Train Attack – Terrorists Threaten Government Warns That Abductees May Be Killed

In a newly released video, attackers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train have threatened the Nigerian government, describing the train attack as child’s play compared to what they are capable of.

The 80-seconds clip that quickly went viral after it surfaced on Twitter showed four of the attackers with masked faces dressed in military camouflage and heavily armed standing behind what looked like an armored tank.

The video is suspected to have been recorded shortly after the release of the Bank of Agriculture Managing Director, Alwan Ali-Hassan who was one of the passengers on the ill-fated train.

Ali-Hassan also appears in the video and is dressed in a white kaftan flanked by two of the terrorists on each side. The video begins with one who appears to be their leader making Islamic prayers in Arabic and Hausa before going on to claim responsibility for the train attack, adding that they had decided to release Ali-Hassan in honor of the season of Ramadan and because he is aged and had been begging for his release.

“We are the ones who kidnapped the people on the train. We decided to release this man (Ali-Hassan) because of the honor of the month of Ramadan and because he is old. He has been pleading since we kidnapped him,” the terrorist said in the video.

With a terrified look, Ali-Hassan in what seemed to be a forced speech spoke in Hausa saying;

“I would like to let you know that these people’s pitied me and allowed me to go because of my age. But I have left many people behind in a condition that they need help. The government should contact the leaders of this group and negotiate their release because they are in a situation that need immediate help.”

On the contrary, Ali-Hassan is believed to have been released after his family whom the attackers contacted sent a ransom in order to regain the MD’s freedom. The amount has not been disclosed but is suspected to be to the tune of hundreds of millions of naira.

An employee of the BOA, as well as a family source, confirmed the MD’s release and return to his home in Kaduna.

The terrorists ended their speech by asking that the government give them what they want and that the attack had nothing to do with money but a demand that the government is aware of. They also threaten to kill their abductees should the government fail to heed their demand.

“Government should hasten to meet us before we turn this place into an abattoir because killing these people is nothing to us. It’s not about money. We can’t do this for money. The government knows what we want,” he said.

Other families with kidnapped victims have revealed to the media that the terrorists have been in contact with them and are demanding huge sums ranging between 5 and 100 million naira. The families have also said that the terrorists have warned them against involving security agencies. Reports say that the affected families have begun the process of raising funds to ransom their loved ones.

Analyzing the video, Bulama Burkati, a Senior Conflict Analyst at the Tony Blair Institute who posted the clip on Twitter said that early evidence suggests that the terrorists are from the Boko Haram group of terrorists. Some are of the belief that the terrorist’s demand from the government might be a prisoner swap.

train attack

News

Peter Obi decries Demolition of brother’s property in Lagos – ‘Nigeria is lawless’

Former presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as “coordinated lawlessness” after a property owned by his younger brother was demolished in Lagos without any formal notice or legal order.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, June 25, Obi revealed that his brother arrived at the company’s premises in Ikeja, Lagos, only to find demolition underway.

He said security personnel at the scene claimed they were acting on a court judgment, yet failed to produce any legal documents or demolition order.

“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case?” Obi queried, disclosing that the judgment cited was allegedly against “unknown persons and squatters,” despite the property being a registered company site for over 15 years.

Obi said he rushed from Abuja to Lagos upon receiving a distress call, only to be shocked by what he witnessed during the demolition.

He said contractors on-site could not identify who sent them, and no official from any government agency appeared to clarify the situation.

“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity,” Obi stated, adding that two men who later appeared only asked him to report to a police station, also without any court backing.

Drawing broader implications, Obi said the experience reflects what ordinary Nigerians endure and explains why foreign investors are reluctant to do business in the country.

“Someone told me he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and the Benin Republic but won’t touch Nigeria. His reason was clear: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country,’” Obi noted.

News

I listen to those who insult me and learn governance lessons from them – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu said he has grown a thick skin against insults from his critics and political enemies to the point that he now learns governance lessons from them.

Tinubu disclosed this while speaking at the town hall meeting held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

The meeting was part of activities scheduled for the President’s visit in the wake of recent killings in the state. Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other dignitaries, including North Central governors, received the President.

“No matter what I do, they will insult me. I read the papers and I learn from their criticism because I can’t see it all,” the President said.

Over 200 residents of the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of the state were killed when assailants suspected to be herders invaded on Friday, June 13, 2025.

The unfortunate incident attracted both nationwide and foreign attention, with international media outlets reporting it. Following the outrage, Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to console the surviving victims of the killings.

Addressing the Governor, the President said, “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?”

Tinubu also urged leaders from across the region to work together as part of a non-kinetic approach to solving the hydra-headed insecurity situation.

“We cannot do without another.

“I will want us to create a leadership committee now to meet in Abuja to fashion out a strategy for lasting peace. And I am ready to invest in that peace,” he said.

Tinubu also charged security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the Benue killings, questioning the police on why no suspects have been arrested since the incident.

Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made?” the displeased President asked.

“I expect there should be arrests of those criminals.”

“I give you the assurance that we will find peace and convert this tragedy to prosperity.”

Entertainment

Tinubu, you are incapable – Falz slams president over Benue killings

Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has condemned President Bola Tinubu over the recent mass killings in Benue State, accusing him of failing in his most fundamental responsibility as a leader.

In a strongly worded post shared on X on June 16, 2025, the rapper expressed deep frustration at what he described as a repeated pattern of government negligence amid growing insecurity across the country.

You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing the lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it.

Falz’s comments come in the wake of public outrage over the massacre of more than 200 people in parts of Benue State. The killings, which have been linked to suspected herdsmen attacks, have drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians and prominent voices in entertainment.

After being called out online for what many people perceived as his silence on the matter, President Tinubu took to X to address the massacre, saying “Enough is enough.”

His statement read in part,

“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”

Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.

Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.

Despite finally addressing the bloodshed, many Nigerians have still faulted Tinubu for not speaking on it early enough, especially after the Pope.