Freed victim of Abuja-Kaduna train recounts how bandits preach, encourage them to pray
By Uzair Adam Imam
One of the released victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Hassan Aliyu, said the bandits used to preach them and encourage them to pray.
Aliyu disclosed that, while in captivity, they didn’t have problem with prayer as bandits allowed and encouraged them to pray. The man disclosed this to Daily Trust in an interview, adding that “there was no problem about prayers; we were never harassed in any way.”
He added, “It was just the feeling that you were not free because wherever you wanted to go you must take permission. Whatever you want to do you must ask for permission. The only time you don’t ask for permission is when you want to interact among yourselves.”
Aliyu further recounted how the bandits used Qur’an to preach to them, adding that the incident was quite interesting as the bandits gave room for interaction and questions.
He added, “I recall a particular issue where somebody said there was a verse in the Qur’an that, ‘You should call people to religion with wisdom.’ And asked why they were doing what they were doing.
“The preacher replied that there were nowhere two verses collided in the Qur’an. That before anyone is labelled an infidel, such a person must have been taught about Islam first.
“We disagreed. It was quite interesting. They would come in the night or during the day and we would interact. They would ask questions or you ask them questions and they would answer happily,” he stated.
The Daily Reality recalls that on March 28, a Kaduna-bound train was stormed by gunmen. The attack led to the death of several persons while many were injured and others abducted.