Lagos – Contrary to a speculation that the Federal government swapped the release of the remaining 23 abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers with 101 Boko Haram inmates at the Kirikiri Maximum prison in Lagos, Federal government refuted the report, insisting that no ransom was paid.
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo who refused the well circulated report of swapping while chatting with journalists, insisted no ransom was paid for the release of the kidnapped 23 Train passengers earlier abducted on the Abuja-Kaduna ill-fated train on March 28, 2022.
According to the Minister, “The released passengers have already been reunited with their families after proper medical examination, the target of the government was to get them out safely and no ransom was paid for any of them”, he said.
Although, the Minister acknowledged that one cannot rule out negotiation on such matter but insisted that the Federal government did not pay a dame for the release of the remaining 23 abductees.
It will be recalled that unconfirmed report went viral on online that some leaders of the Boko Haram insurgents entered into an accord with the federal government to release their fighters detained at the minimum and maximum prisons at Kirikiri town, Lagos as a condition to free the remaining victims of the Kaduna train abduction.
The report read, “A senior prison source revealed that the Boko Haram fighters released had been detained since the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration adding that they have never had their days in court.
According to the source, the Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had called on the Controller of the Correctional Center, Lagos, Mr. B R Freeman and told him the position of the Federal government adding that he inturn therefore, met with the inmates and briefed them on the need to get prepared to leave the Center as the government had granted them Amnesty.
The sources said, “Exactly 6am today 8th of October 2022, about 101 Boko Haram terrorists held in Kirikiri prison since 2009 were set free in what the government called Amnesty. But It is actually a prisoner swap demanded by Boko Haram, in exchange for the remaining 23 Kaduna train passengers kidnapped by the sect on the 28th of March 2022.
“About 104 Boko Haram terrorists were arrested by the Yar’adua/Jonathan’s govt in 2009, and transferred to Lagos. Out of the 104 sent to Kirikiri prison, 3 died in jail, leaving 101 that were set free today (Go & verify this info) They are held up in both Kirikiri maximum & medium prisons.
“But by my records, they have never been to court in Lagos since 2009 till date and therefore, were never prosecuted. On September 29, 30 and October 3, 2022, the Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Services, Lagos Command, Controller B.R Freeman, met with about 40 of those Boko Haram terrorists, locked up in Kirikiri medium prison where he told them that they should get ready to go saying that the federal government has granted them Amnesty, because of the upcoming 2023 election.
“That they should wait for further directives. (This is verifiable) After the last meeting on the 3rd of October 2022, the remaining 23 Kaduna train passengers, kidnapped by Boko Haram were released on the 5th of October 2022, by the sect, to keep to their own terms of agreement. Controller Freeman came again to the prison on the 6th of Octobe4 2022, and just yesterday 7th of October, to finalise arrangements with the terrorists. They packed up their belongings, prepared themselves and waited. At about 6am today, the cells were open and they were all set fee.”
Also speaking on the plans for the resumption of train services on the Abuja-Kaduna line, the Minister said, “We have long-term and short-term plans for securing the rail line and operations will resume soon.”
Sambo added, “the short-term process will be put in place within a period of three months for the train service on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line to resume, Sambo said.
It would be recalled that the victims of the ill-fated train from Abuja to Kaduna have been released in trenches, On July 9, the bandits released seven hostages; on July 25, three more Abuja-Kaduna train passengers were released, while In the month of August, specifically on August 2, the bandits released four more Kaduna-Abuja train victims; while on August 10, the bandits released seven more kidnapped train passengers.
The news broke on October 5, when Prof. Usman Yusuf, secretary of the Chief of Defense Staff Action Committee (CDSAC) announced the release of the remaining 23 passengers.
