metro

Families Paid N800m To Secure Release Of 7 Kaduna Train Captives

Published

3 years ago

July 11, 2022

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.

READ ALSO:

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.

READ ALSO:

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.

Related Topics:captives families Featured Kaduna Train

Up Next

You can’t intimidate me from saying the truth, Fani-Kayode replies military high command

Don't Miss

My three months in terrors den was hellish, says UBEB director

metro

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

Peter Obi and Governor Hyacinth Alia has given a reason for his blocking major opposition figure Peter Obi from visiting the IDP camp in Benue.

Mr Alia accused the Labour Party leader of violating standard protocols by failing to inform the governor ahead of his visit as courtesy demands.

Mr Alia, in an interview with TVC on Thursday, said Mr Obi was blocked from visiting the Benue IDP camp because his “intention” was unknown, and he violated protocols by not informing him in advance.

“A very respected Peter Obi was a governor. If you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. Very high personality; you are coming into someone’s state, and your party does not even know you are coming.

“I, the sitting governor, did not know you were coming. Then you are going into where I’m protecting even the most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them. They’ve been displaced. I need to protect them even some more. I don’t know the intent you have,” Mr Alia explained.

READ ALSO:

He added, “Is it not courteous enough for me to know as a sitting governor and even to provide more security to you and prepare the minds of the IDPs that a guest is coming to visit them?”

The governor denied claims that he was unreachable when the former Anambra called to inform him of his visit.

“No, that’s not the right narrative. I can never politicise that. I’m the one bearing the brunt, pain and sorrows of the IDPs in my state,” Mr Alia stated. “No. That’s not the true story. If he (Mr Obi) couldn’t reach me, I have a chief of staff, I have an SSG, (and) I have a PPS. That’s not true.”

Last week, Mr Alia said he could not guarantee the safety of any individual or group visiting Benue without his knowledge or clearance, barring Mr Obi from visiting the state.

However, Mr Obi expressed displeasure at how Mr Alia’s government allegedly politicised his planned visit to the troubled Benue.

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp for lack of courtesy – Alia

metro

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

Published

5 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has expressed his deepest condolences to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) following the recent Boko Haram assault in Wulgo, a border town with Cameroon.

Governor Zulum made the visit on Thursday to Cameroonian troops under Sector 1 of the MNJTF, where he also extended sympathies to both the government and citizens of Cameroon over the devastating attack.

In Wulgo, located roughly 15 kilometers from Gamboru Ngala, the Governor was welcomed by Major General Godwin Michael Mutkut, the Force Commander of the MNJTF.

“I am here to commiserate with you, and with the government and people of the Republic of Cameroon, over the recent unfortunate incident. I wish to salute your bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the region,” stated Governor Zulum.

READ ALSO:

The Governor also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the MNJTF and Cameroon in their fight against terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

“The Government of Nigeria will explore all possible avenues to complement the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the government of Cameroon to bring lasting stability to the Lake Chad basin,” he assured.

Alongside the Federal Government’s support, Governor Zulum pledged additional assistance from Borno State to the troops operating in the region.

The Governor was accompanied by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central, Special Advisers Hon. Idrissa Jidda and Hon. Mustapha Dalatu, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, Chairman of the Borno State Social Investment Programme, the Chairman of Ngala Local Government Area, and his Principal Private Secretary.

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack in Wulgo

metro

Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

Published

6 hours ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

A statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs of FCCPC, said the Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

“In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

“The tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honorable Thomas Okosun,” the statement said.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN) while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Mr. Babatunde Irukera. Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

PlatinumPost reports that FCCPC had on on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

READ ALSO:

The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.

While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.

The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.

On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.

READ ALSO:

On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour. The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.

While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.