NO RANSOM WAS PAID FOR THE RELEASE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN - FG

The Federal Government has stated that no kobo was paid for the release of the remaining 23 kidnapped passengers from the March 28, 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

Mu'azu Sambo, the Minister of Transportation, made the announcement while speaking to reporters on Friday, October 7, in Abuja.

He stated that the victims, who were released on Wednesday, October 5, after nearly six months in captivity, had been reunited with their families following a thorough medical examination.

The Minister, who expressed joy at the victims' release, explained that the government's goal was to get the victims out safely without paying a ransom.

He claims that, "In matters that involve national security and intelligence, it is not appropriate to review exactly what measures has been taken in order to secure release of hostages of this nature.

It is the position of this government that under no circumstances should there be collateral damage. Secondly, there is a committee made up of some retired generals and some retired public officers of high ranking and status who assisted the military and security agencies throughout the process of securing the release of this hostages.

I want to state categorically, that because this government does not support and approve of ransom payment, no kobo was paid in exchange for the release of this 23 hostages, indeed for the other ones as well."