No Ransom Was Paid For Freed Train Kidnap Victims- F.G

The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo has disclosed that throughout the ordeals of the Abuja- Kaduna kidnapped train victims, there was no ransom (kobo) paid to secure the victims saying he particularly want to thank the Almighty God and President Muhammadu Buhari including the security agencies for their efforts.

Addressing the press at the Ministry he noted that this government doesn’t approve of any forms of ransom irrespective of pressure from any quarter noting that because it is a security matter he will not be tempted to divulge all that played out for the sake of the victims who are still undergoing treatment.

He said: ” I want to state categorically that this government doesn’t support any forms of ransom whatsoever. No kobo was paid in exchange for the release of this 23 hostages and indeed for the other ones as well. I am grateful to the Almighty God and President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian military and other security agencies for the various roles leading to the release of this victims. I am proud of the achievements of this great feat of securing the release of this kidnapped victims and uniting them with their loved ones.

“This has rekindled the hope and faith of Nigerians in our security agencies. We know before now,, the government has been fully involved in securing the victims and for that reasons also, has suspended commercial train services on that route since March, 28, 2022. It is now 6 months and seven days that the commercial train service on the route has been suspended.

“And it is imperative for us to know that the reconstruction and repairs of the damaged wall lines has since been carried out by the Nigerian engineers of the Railway Corporation. Since the incidence occur”, he noted.