Bandits responsible for the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack have threatened to kill the abducted passengers in their custody if the federal government fails to meet their demands within seven days.

The threats are contained in the latest edition of the Kaduna-based DESERT HERALD newspaper, whose publisher, Tukur Mamu, is a media consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric.

Mamu said the bandits contacted him through one of their leaders simply identified as Abu Barra with firm instructions to convey the message to the victims’ families and the federal government.

In a telephone conversation, the abductors told Mamu that though the federal government had contacted them on how to secure the release of the abducted passengers, their insincerity put the lives of the abductees at risk.

READ ALSO: Bandits Demand Millions to Free Abducted Abuja-Kaduna Train Passengers

The bandits also said that the suspended resumption of train services by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on the Abuja-Kaduna route was a result of their threat to the government.

They said the federal government was not sincere with the negotiations, warning that unless their children detained in Adamawa State are released, the kidnapped passengers will be killed.

”The government suspended the resumption of the train service indefinitely because of our threats, and we repeat, if our conditions are not met, the resumption of the train service is to the detriment of the government and the passengers,” Barra said.

“We don’t need money. We have a good reason for doing what we did. Until our demands are met, none of the victims will come out alive even if it means we all die with them. They are well taken care of as you can see from the pictures we sent to you via WhatsApp, but we assure you that this will not continue.

READ ALSO: Funtua: Once a Safe Haven for Refugees, Now a Stronghold of Bandits

“We choose you (Tukur Mamu) to convey this important message to the government, the families of the victims and Nigerians in general because we believe you won’t alter our message and we have seen you severally with Sheikh Gumi in the forest. Therefore, we recognise the fearlessness in you.

“Our children numbering about eight, between the ages of one and seven years, are currently being held at an orphanage in Jimeta, Adamawa State, under the supervision of the Nigerian Army.

“The names of our children are; Abdulrahman, Bilkisu, Usman, Ibrahim and Juwairiyyah. They were forcefully taken from our wives in Nasarawa and taken to the orphanage in Yola.

“For any continued discussion on the release of these passengers and a safe resumption of the train service, our children must be released unconditionally.

READ ALSO: Relatives of Abducted Abuja-Kaduna Train Passengers Protest Government’s Slow Action

“Only then we will release some of the abducted victims, especially the women, while other passengers will be released on a prisoner exchange with some of our comrades arrested by the government.”

Barra warned that if within seven days, the government fails to respond to their demands, they will stop feeding the victims in their custody and start killing them.

“If the government decided not to respond, so be it. We are warning Nigerians, especially those that are patronising the train, that if this matter is not resolved peacefully, the day they decide to attack us or do anything funny, passengers or commuters should forget using the train or follow the Abuja-Kaduna road because we will be consistent and they can’t stop us. We believe that you will deliver this message as it is,” he said.

“Therefore, we rely on you and urge you to convey this important message to everyone”

Responding, Mamu appealed to the government not to take the bandits’ threat lightly, noting that the federal government should be ready to make a painful compromise in order to save the lives of the innocent passengers in the custody of the terror group.

Mamu explained that “prisoner exchange” with known criminals on matters of national interest is a global practice and has happened in many developed countries like the United States, urging the government to avoid any military action that will lead to collateral damage and loss of innocent lives.

“Time is not on our side. The government must understand that they are dealing with persons with misguided ideology and tainted religious beliefs. These people are not scared of death,” he said.

“They seem to believe that they are martyrs when they die. It will be a serious mistake to take this threat lightly. I believe an opportunity has been created for us to explore to save the lives of those innocent victims.

“For me, if these innocent victims will regain their freedom because of my involvement and that will lead to relative peace and security on our highways and rail lines, I wouldn’t mind if I die in the process. We must accept the fact that security alone on the Abuja-Kaduna highway remains more fragile than ever and the solution is not the military alone, especially in a country where impending attacks can hardly be dictated and stopped.”

The train conveying passengers from Abuja to Kaduna on March 28 was halted when terrorists blew it up a few kilometres to the Rigasa Train Station in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leading to the death and abduction of several passengers.