The terrorists, who abducted passengers of Abuja-Kaduna-bound train on March 28, are demanding a N100 million ransom for each of the 43 persons still in captivity.
The terrorists had collected N800 million as ransom payment from seven abductees they freed last week, with six of the victims paying N100 million each and the only Pakistani among them paying an equivalent of N200 million in dollars.
According to reports, the demand was communicated to the families of the hostages last week. This is coming five days after the alleged masterminds of the abduction were freed from the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja, by scores of armed men on Tuesday.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the attack in a viral video 24 hours later. During the attack, over 300 Boko Haram fighters, convicted criminals and other inmates were released by the terrorists who overwhelmed the security operatives guarding the facility.
The Federal Government on Thursday uploaded to the Interpol database the data of 64 Boko Haram commanders who escaped from custody during the attack.
Recall that the terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna-bound train on March 28, killing eight and kidnapping no fewer than 61 passengers. As part of their demands, they requested the release of 15 terrorist commanders, their children detained by the military and an undisclosed amount of cash.
On June 12, the terrorists released 11 hostages after 75 days in captivity, while another seven regained their freedom on Saturday. The victims were reportedly released through the assistance of the publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald newspaper, Tukur Mamu, who has been negotiating with the militants.
Meanwhile, the seven persons released by the terrorists have reunited with their families on Saturday evening. The leader of the victims’ families, Dr AbdulFatai Jimoh, told newsmen that after the release of the seven hostages on Saturday, 43 more hostages were still in the terrorists’ den.
