Pakistani Citizen Kidnapped in Nigeria Released after Negotiations

Islamabad: July 10, 2022-The Government and people of Pakistan express deep appreciation to the brotherly people and government of Nigeria for helping to secure safe release of Pakistani citizen, Dr. Abuzar Muhammad Afzal, kidnapped and held in captivity for over 3 months.

Dr. Abuzar was among scores of passengers taken hostage in an attack on Abuja-Kaduna train on 28 March 2022. He is the only foreigner among 7 hostages freed last night, and 13 others released a month ago.

In a video message from Kaduna City this morning following his release, Dr. Abuzar thanked the governments of Pakistan and Nigeria, the negotiator and his employer, and everyone who contributed to the efforts for his freedom. He also thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Foreign Minister, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for consistent endeavours to ensure his well-being and safe release.

We appreciate the political and military leadership of Nigeria, as well as the coordination between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the High Commissions culminating in the release of Dr.Abuzar.

Dr. Abuzar has already reached Abuja and provided with Emergency Travel Document by the Pakistan High Commission to facilitate his journey to Pakistan later tonight, to be reunited with his family and loved ones in Multan coinciding with the happy occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

Pakistani Dr was held hostage along with over 60 other people by a Nigerian terrorist group and the kidnappers have given a six-day deadline for the approval of their demands.

In a terrifying video, Abuzar Muhammad Afzal  pleaded to the Government of Pakistan and the world to help them.

Abuzar said that the kidnappers had made it clear that if their demands were not met within six days, all the hostages would be killed, adding that they were abducted on March 28.

He said that the government of Pakistan, the government of Nigeria and the international community should make immediate efforts for their release.

Abuzar’s mother had appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to take steps on war footing for the release of her son.

Abuzar’s father Sheikh Mohammad Afzal, a resident of Multan, told that Abuzar had a PhD in microbiology from Faisalabad and was working as a general manager at a foreign company in Nigeria.

He went on to say that his son was abducted on March 28 along with the others and the kidnappers had demanded the release of their captives from the Nigerian government in return.

Abuzar’s parents along with his siblings, his wife and two children appealed to PM Shehbaz and Foreign Minister Bilawal to work in coordination with their Nigerian counterparts for Abuzar’s release at the earliest. Finally their demand has been fulfilled and they are preparing to welcome Abuzar at home.