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Abuja-Kaduna train: We Will Never Pay Them Ransom – El-Rufai Exposes The Name Of Attackers

Published

2 years ago

April 2, 2022

Governor Nasir el-Rufai has reiterated the state’s stance on not paying money to bandits in the aftermath of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack..

El Rufai has dropped a word of caution that the state will not pay a ransom for abducted victims of the attack, even if the insurgents demand it.

On Friday, after informing the President on security developments in his state, he made the claims when briefing state house media.

The ambush on the train, according to the governor, was undertaken by Boko Haram militants in coordination with certain locals.

He said, “The President assured me that necessary steps would be taken on the matter and this thing will be brought to an end in a few months, and security agents are already carrying out surveillance around where these criminals are and, by the grace of God, they’ll be rounded up.

“But as you know, the government will always take precautionary measures to safeguard the lives of citizens, therefore, except the victims are rescued unhurt, the air force and ground troops will not be able to confront the criminals. So to avoid any colossal damage, the captives have to be freed first.”

“Well, the families of those kidnapped have been contacted while some of the captives themselves have called their loved ones, saying they’re doing well and they’re being taken care of. But the gunmen haven’t shown any sign of collecting ransom.

“These ones aren’t the usual kidnappers but members of Boko who are collaborating with bandits.

“So we were thinking they’ll ask for a huge ransom from the state government, not the families of their victims.

“So far, they’ve asked for ransom from just one of the 5 families that were contacted.

“As far as the Kaduna State government is concerned, we’ve not changed our stand on payment of ransom, so, even if they seek for that from us, we’ll not pay because we are not ready to do so.”