The family members of the victims seen in the video say they have lost hope in the capacity of the federal government and security agencies to rescue their loved ones.
In the video, the terrorists were seen threatening to kill the victims if the Federal Government failed to meet up with their demands.
They also claimed that one of the escapees of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja had rejoined them in the forest.
The remaining 43 victims had been told to pay N100 million to secure their release.
In an interview, a spokesperson for the family members, Sani Usman accused the government of sabotaging their efforts.
The statement read: “Terrorist activity using propaganda and the use of violence to force governments to accept or submit to political demands is not new all over world.
“The country’s security and defence forces are not clueless or helpless. They have their plans and ways of doing things, which they will not display in the media.
“The dilemmas in dealing with the specific case of train terrorists are manifold: punitive action like the popular call for carpet bombing of the known locations may assuage the desire of an angry public for revenge, but what about the hostages? They have committed no offence. All they did was to board a train.
“It suffices to say that the security forces are not relenting. They are acutely aware of their duties, responsibilities and what the nation expects of them. Whenever they embark upon those actions, they expect that the public should provide them with the needed support.
“Terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought by all actors— the military, the civilian population and the communication service providers. This is the only way safe havens of terrorists are eliminated in every part of the world.
“To help the nation against ongoing situation, the media must increase their support for the fight against the exploitation of the internet and social media for terrorist purposes.
“The Presidency, in the meantime, wishes to reassure the public that the President has done all, and even more than what is expected of him as Commander-in-Chief by way of morale, material and equipment support to the military and expects nothing short of good results in the immediate.”
Reacting to the threat to abduct the president in an interview with Inspiration FM, Security Analyst, Onyekachi Adekoya said though it is sad, it shows the extent of the risk that the daredevil insurgents are willing to take.
