Kaduna Train Attack: CAN commends President Buhari, security agencies for release of Azurfa Lois, 22 others

By Victor Habila
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed deep satisfaction with the safe release of the remaining 23 kidnapped train passengers held in captivity by Boko Haram terrorists.

In a statement made available to Journalists on Thursday, the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for this development which signposts the efforts of the Federal Government at combating our common enemy as a nation – insecurity.

Okoh mentioned that the successful release of the remaining hostages in line with the President’s earlier directive not only indicates that the authorities mean serious business, but are ready to muster the required political will to end the reign of terror in parts of the country.

CAN also lauded the military and all other security and intelligence agencies for the successful conduct of the operation which led to the release of the hostages, adding that they have shown outstanding capabilities in recent times and the whole world will not fail to take note of their good efforts.

“We believe that with the necessary support and adequate motivation, our security forces are capable of deploying world class kinetic and non-kinetic processes towards accomplishing difficult military operations that will ensure safety of lives and properties in the land.

“Therefore, the relief that came to the nation arising from the closure of the six-month captivity of the innocent train passengers must be sustained at all times”, CAN mentioned.

CAN reiterated that Nigeria must not allow the return of the days when terrorists had a free hand to do as they wished to unsuspecting travelers, stating that every Nigerian must be allowed to have peace, whether at home or on transit.

“We appreciate the doggedness, resilience and hope which the 23 train victims maintained all through the more than 190 days they spent in the hands of their captors even under torturous conditions.”.

The CAN President specially commends 21-year-old Azurfa Lois, one of the captives who was reportedly unflinching in her faith in Christ Jesus, despite threats by the terrorists to marry her off to one of them and forcefully convert her to another faith.

Okoh said her story is a testimony that God Almighty, who watches over his people will neither sleep nor slumber, but will sustain and rescue them even from the throes of death.

The statement reads; “We also congratulate all the families of the train victims for having them back alive, and encourage them to understand that the unpleasant circumstances they have gone through since the night of the attack will produce the godly fruits of endurance, good character and hope, for God Almighty still speaks to his people in every situation”.