Kaduna Train Attack: Gov El-Rufa’i Denies Request of Ransom by Terrorists

The Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Friday said the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train and kidnaped many passengers had only contacted the families of their captives, but not demanded for any ransom.

The Governor made this disclosure at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after he briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on security developments in his state following the Monday nights' terror attack.

El-Rufai said the president has reassured him that radical steps were being taken to curtail the activities of terrorists and bandits in Kaduna state and beyond.

El-Rufa’i, while while speaking in Hausa language, revealed that the attack on the train was carried out by Boko Haram insurgents along with some bandits operating in Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Sokoto and Kebbi States.

In his words; “The President assured me that necessary steps would be taken on the matter and this thing will be brought to an end in few months, and security agents are already carrying out surveillance around where these criminals are and, by the grace of God, they will 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 airforce 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 are doing well and they are being taken care of. But the gunmen have not shown any sign of collecting ransom.”