Federal Government secured the release of the last batch of hostages kidnapped by terrorists during the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Train on March 28, 2022, without paying a Kobo, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’Azi Sambo has said.
The Minister, who disclosed this at a press briefing organised to provide updates and meet with the victims at the Ministry expressed joy that after six months in captivity the hostages were finally free at last.
He, however, insisted that nothing was paid to the bandits to release the kidnapped victims,
“Because this government does not support and approve ransom payment, no Kobo was paid in exchange for the release of these 23 hostages and even for the release of the other hostages,” he said.
Mu’azu said a committee of retired Generals assisted in securing the release of the victims, adding that as soon as the release of hostages was secured, they were taken to a Military hospital in Kaduna where adequate health care was provided for them.
“I want you to know that there is a committee made up of some retired generals and some retired public officers of high-ranking status who assisted the military and the security agencies throughout the process of securing the release of these hostages,” he said.