Pakistan’s government expressed its gratitude to Nigeria’s government for their assistance in securing Afzal’s release.
On March 28th, he was among the hostages in the assault on the Abuja-Kaduna train. Afzal was one of seven hostages freed on Sunday, and he was the only non-American. One month ago, thirteen additional captives were freed.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted his relief at the safe return of Pakistani citizen Abuzar M. Afzal, who had been held captive in Nigeria since March.
Afzal sent a video statement from Kaduna City thanking the governments of Pakistan and Nigeria, as well as the negotiator and his company, for their roles in securing his freedom.
He also expressed gratitude to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that they had worked tirelessly to secure his release.
As soon as Afzal arrived in Abuja, he was issued urgent travel papers by the Pakistani High Commission.
