Families Paid N800m To Secure Release Of 7 Kaduna Train Captives – Newstrends
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Families Paid N800m To Secure Release Of 7 Kaduna Train Captives

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The Seven Released Captives

Eight hundred million naira was paid to the terrorists holding captives seized from the AK9 train service attacked on the Abuja–Kaduna route before the additional seven victims were released on Saturday, some families of the victims and other sources knowledgeable of the deal told Daily Trust yesterday.

The released victims were among the dozens of passengers abducted on March 28 by gunmen who derailed the moving train.

No organisation has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but security sources and researchers attributed the daring attack to remnants of Boko Haram working in cahoots with members of the Darul Salam, another group mostly populated by Fulani youths dislodged from Niger and Nasarawa States at different times.

Some however attributed the attack to the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) though, atypical of the group, they have not publicly laid claim to it.

The release of the seven victims came amid heightened fears that the terrorists would kill all those in their custody over the alleged failure of the federal government to respond to their demands.

On Tuesday, Daily Trust reported that the captors of the train passengers had sent an audio clip to victims’ families threatening to kill the captives if the families were unwilling to strike a deal with them.

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It was reliably gathered that families of each of the six Nigerian victims paid N100 million while the captors pegged the ransom for the Pakistani at N200 million which was also paid.

Our sources said the terrorists collected the ransom in naira and US dollars.

“Only N200 million was collected in naira, the remaining N600 million was paid in the equivalent of US dollars,” one of our sources said.

Those released were identified as Muhammad Daiyabu Paki, Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Sadiq Ango Abdullahi, Aliyu Usman and Muhammad Abuzar Afzal, the Pakistani.

“All the families of the victims felt abandoned by the federal government and therefore had to pay for the release of their loved ones,” another source close to one of the released “The truth is that the FG is indifferent to our plight…Those in power don’t care if the captives are all killed.

“That is why we sold our property and raised the money. It is the same for the families of all those released. We all paid through our nose but Alhamdulillah, it is worth it,” he said.

Daily Trust reports that the lead negotiator for the release of the victims, Kaduna-based newspaper publisher, Tukur Mamu, had on Saturday announced that he secured the release of the seven abductees through mediation as he was silent on any ransom paid.

Mamu, a media consultant to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, had last week announced his withdrawal from negotiating with the terrorists due to the alleged government’s nonchalant attitude to the plight of the train abductees.

He, however, said he had to continue with the mediation because of immense pressure and appeal by the relations and loved ones of the victims.

Previously, the abductors had released three batches of the captives, including managing director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Hassan, a group of eleven victims and a pregnant woman released alone. 

A security source told one of our correspondents that the federal government rarely secures the release of any captive.

“Government is not amenable to releasing terrorists in their custody because of some international convention.

“It is however sad that in Nigeria, while we don’t agree to prisoner swap most of the time, the terrorists always have their way as evident in the recent attack on Kuje Prison where many high profile terrorists were released.

“We don’t have the capacity to protect our prison facilities and we don’t have the capacity to protect the citizens. Hundreds of terrorists have been set free in various prisons…It is unfortunate,” he said.

How B/Haram members partnered bandits for train attack

One of the released captors had, at the weekend, painted sordid details of their journey to the terrorists’ den and life under the insurgents.

According to him, the attack on the train was a collaborative operation between the B/Haram elements who held them and some bandits familiar with the train.

“They entered into an alliance with the bandits so as to benefit from their numbers and their familiarity with the train. In fact, even the location where we were held in the forests around Birnin Gwari they told us it was not their territory, they got permission from some bandits to keep us there,” he said.

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The source, who craved anonymity, said the location where they were held was an open forest with only three huts within the vicinity.

“The men shared two huts while the women and kids used the other one. There were 20 of us in the hut I stayed in as of the time of our release on Saturday. They treated us fairly well without maltreating anyone, other than that first time they lashed us up when their leader called Malam Baffa came to see us immediately after we arrived.

“On some days they would slaughter a cow for us. The latest was the one they killed to celebrate the Sallah. They also preached to us every time either by themselves or through playing recorded preaching including by some prominent clerics,” he said.

‘Captors behind Kuje jailbreak, they jubilated on return’

The source also confirmed that the kidnappers of the travellers were the ones behind the jailbreak at Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre on the outskirts of Abuja.

He said there was wild jubilation after the Tuesday night jailbreak when those who participated in the attack returned to their enclave with some of the freed prisoners. 

The attack on the correctional centre led to the escape of hundreds of prisoners held in the facility, including at least 69 Boko Haram suspects, according to officials.

A day after the attack ISWAP claimed responsibility and released a 33-second video showing its men in action during the siege on the facility.  

I saw hell in kidnappers’ den – FCT UBEB chair

FCT Director of the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr Hassan Suleiman, who was among those released from the kidnappers’ den said that he did not pray that his worst enemy should experience what he went through in the hands of the terrorists.

Dr Suleiman, while narrating his experience in an audio message circulated on WhatsApp obtained by our reporter on Sunday, said, he went through the valley of death.

He recounted that he was on board the ill-fated train from Abuja to Kaduna to attend an agricultural education programme organised by the FCT UBEB, saying many were killed during the attack.

While thanking God for coming out safely from the kidnappers’ den after three months, Suleiman appreciated the people of the FCT, especially members of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), as well as other well-wishers, for their prayers that led to his release.

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Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

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Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

The Lagos State Government has removed traders operating on the rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi, following a viral video that raised concerns about public safety.

The announcement was made by Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, on Monday.

The clearance was done in collaboration with the Nigerian Army from the nearby Ikeja Cantonment.

Wahab’s statement read: “Following the viral video on social media, we’ve removed traders from the rail tracks at Bolade, opposite Arena Shopping Complex, in collaboration with Nigerian Army personnel from Ikeja Cantonment.” 

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The viral video, originally shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user identified as @dipoaina1 on December 28, depicted scenes of buying and selling taking place perilously close to the railway tracks.

The footage showed an NRC train on the Lagos-Ibadan rail track passing by as people continued their activities undeterred. The post highlighted the dangers posed by the lack of barriers, with @dipoaina1 suggesting the railway route be fenced with barbed wire to prevent such risky behavior.

The government’s swift response underscores its commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining order around critical infrastructure. This move also aligns with broader efforts to address safety challenges associated with urban rail transportation in Lagos. However, the incident highlights the need for sustained proactive measures rather than reactive actions to prevent future occurrences.

 

Lagos govt clears traders from rail tracks at Bolade, Oshodi

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Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

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Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

In less than 12 hours, countries around the world will be celebrating a New Year – 2025.

However, there are some countries that will not join in the celebration as their calendars differ from the rest of the worlds’.

Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan are four countries that won’t be celebrating New Year’s Day 2025.

Ethiopia is a land of ancient traditions and unique cultural identities, including its own calendar system. The Ethiopian calendar, based on the Coptic calendar, comprises 13 months—12 of which have 30 days, while the 13th month, Pagumē, has five or six days depending on the leap year.

The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, falls on Meskerem 1, which corresponds to September 11 or 12 in the Gregorian calendar. Interestingly, Ethiopia is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, meaning that as the rest of the world enters 2025, Ethiopia will still be in 2017.

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Nepal embraces two traditional calendar systems—Vikram Samvat and Nepal Sambat—making it one of the most unique timekeeping cultures globally. Vikram Samvat, a lunisolar calendar, is the official calendar of Nepal and is approximately 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.

Additionally, the Nepal Sambat, a lunar calendar, is used by the Newar community and runs on its own timeline, adding another layer of distinction to the nation’s calendar traditions. The official New Year celebration in Nepal, called Bisket Jatra, typically falls in April. Hence, January 1 is not a significant date in Nepal.

Iran follows the Solar Hijri calendar, which is one of the most accurate solar calendars in the world. This system begins with the vernal equinox, marking the first day of spring. The Iranian New Year, known as Nowruz, falls around March 21 and is celebrated with elaborate customs and rituals that date back over 3,000 years.

For Iranians, January 1 is an ordinary winter day, with their focus firmly set on the arrival of spring and the renewal it symbolises.

Afghanistan also uses the Solar Hijri calendar, aligning its timekeeping closely with Iran. Similarly, Nowruz marks the New Year in Afghanistan, celebrated with feasts, family gatherings, and cultural events.

Afghanistan’s rich history and adherence to its traditional calendar reflect its cultural pride and resistance to adopting the Gregorian system, making it one of the few nations where January 1 holds no special significance.

 

Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year

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Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

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Isaac Fayose

Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

 

Social media was set abuzz on the cusp of the new year when Isaac Fayose, the entrepreneur and younger brother to former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, claimed he had donated a staggering N50 million to the NGO of popular activist VeryDarkMan.

 

In a post that blended philanthropy with a touch of mischief, Fayose teased followers with the declaration, describing it as both a “prank” and a “blessing.”

 

However, the announcement didn’t land smoothly with everyone. While some praised Fayose’s generosity, others demanded proof of the hefty donation.

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“Show us the evidence,” a skeptical follower urged, echoing the sentiment of many. “Without proper investigation, it’s wrong to just believe such claims.”

 

The skepticism grew as other comments poured in. “Send a receipt, even if it’s fake, before we Ekiti people fall for this prank,” one user joked, while another humorously quipped, “Statement of account or no deal!”

 

Some followers, however, leaned into the fun side of the announcement. A playful comment from one admirer read, “I’m proud of you, baby. I’ll donate my kidney to you!” Meanwhile, others took a more serious tone, questioning why Fayose didn’t spearhead his own initiative instead of supporting another.

 

Fayose’s post, now a viral topic, continues to draw both laughter and criticism. While the jury is still out on the truth of the donation, one thing remains certain—Isaac Fayose knows how to get people talking.

 

 

Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO

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