We Were Thoroughly Beaten And Slept On Bare Floor In Thick Forest - Freed Train Passenger, Hassan Othman Narrates Ordeal In Terrorist Den

Hassan Othman

Hassan Othman, one of the released victims of the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train attack has narrated his ordeal after spending four months in the terrorist's den.

Othman and three other victims were released on Monday, July 25, a day after the terrorists released a disturbing video where the hostages were seen being flogged.

Recounting his experience in an interview with BBC Hausa service, Othman said they were brutally beaten by the terrorists.

The lawyer said they were initially sleeping on the bare ground in the thick forest but later, they were provided with mats and when it rained, the terrorists erected makeshift shelters for them.

"We were seriously beaten as seen in the video and it is as a result of failure to rescue us by government. Because of the government’s attitude, they were angered and they thoroughly beat us. We were severely flogged and that was just the beginning. This makes me to pity those that are still with them in the forest," he narrated.

“In terms of feeding, the they fed us according to their capacity. At times, they even slaughtered cattle and sheep for us. Even day before yesterday they slaughtered a cow and we ate, we thank Allah

"I couldn’t locate the forest we were taken, since the Federal government had failed to rescue us for the past 4 months, the international community should come in and rescue the remaining victims who were in a pitiable condition in the forest,” he said.

Othman added, "Our relatives facilitated our release, they initially tried but government stopped them and now succeeded. I don’t know if they paid ransom or not, three of us are released today, the remaining in captivity are up to 40.”