The Minister of Transportation, Mua’zu Jaji Sambo, has said no dime was paid to bandits to release the remaining 23 victims of the Kaduna train attack.
KEMI FILANI NEWS reported that the Nigerian Military released the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram insurgents following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train.
The Minister said diplomacy was involved in releasing the passengers of the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack.
Sambo disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists in Abuja.
He said, “On 11th August, the President Federal Republic of Nigeria received at the Presidential Villa relatives of the victims and further assurances was given to the fact that Government was working assiduously to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
“Before this visit, I have also in my capacity as the Minister of Transportation, having just resumed duty a few weeks, met and addressed the relatives of the kidnapped victims where I asked them to cooperate with security operatives if the need arises and assured them that their loved ones that has been kidnapped will be released as it is paramount to Government,” he said.
He said with their release, “this day will therefore remain memorable in the annals of the country and every person who contributed in any way to the release of the victims has every reason to be happy for contributing to the Nation’s glory.”
He noted that the FG suspended Commercial train services on that route since March.
“It is now six months and 7 days that the commercial train service on the route had been suspended and it is imperative to also let you know that the reconstruction and repairs of the damaged rail line was carried out by indigenous Engineers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation” he noted.
