By David Lawani
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Jaji Sambo has disclosed that throughout the ordeals of the Abuja- Kaduna kidnapped train victims, there was no ransom (kobo) paid to secure the victims saying he particularly want to thank the Almighty God and President Muhammadu Buhari including the security agencies for their efforts.
Sambo who addressed pressmen at the premises of the Ministry noting that this government doesn’t approve of any forms of ransom irrespective of pressure from any quarter noting that because it is a security matter he will not be tempted to divulge all that played out for the sake of the victims who are still undergoing treatment.
He commended the security agencies for a job well done stressing that due to the need to avoid collateral damage, retired generals and other experts on security management had to be deployed to ensure that no live was lost in the process as every lives matters to the President.
He said: ” I want to state categorically that this government doesn’t support any forms of ransom whatsoever. No kobo was paid in exchange for the release of this 23 hostages and indeed for the other ones as well. I am grateful to the Almighty God and President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian military and other security agencies for the various roles leading to the release of this victims. I am proud of the achievements of this great feat of securing the release of this kidnapped victims and uniting them with their loved ones.
“This has rekindled the hope and faith of Nigerians in our security agencies. We know before now,, the government has been fully involved in securing the victims and for that reasons also, has suspended commercial train services on that route since March, 28, 2022. It is now 6 months and seven days that the commercial train service on the route has been suspended.
“And it is imperative for us to know that the reconstruction and repairs of the damaged wall lines has since been carried out by the Nigerian engineers of the Railway Corporation. Since the incidence occur”, he noted.
The Minister stated further that it was not everything that involved intelligence that should be made a public matter advising that some issues are better left behind for those whose responsibility it is to ensure due diligence is done to it.
“As I was saying that on matters that involve national security and intelligence, It is not appropriate to reveal exactly what measures have been taken in order to secure the release of hostages of this nature. Now, there are two things I want you to bear in mind. All through these incidents it changes the position of this government that under no circumstances should there be collateral damage.
“We all know what collateral damage is. In other words, the military and security agencies that have been charged with the responsibility of securing the release of these hostages should not act in a way that will endanger the lives of the same hostages. In other words, just make sure that no one hostages life is lost in the process of securing them”, he said.
He reiterated that there is a committee made up of some retired generals and some retired public officers of high ranking and status who assisted the military and the security agencies throughout the process of securing the release of these hostages.
He explained that because of what the team and the victims families were going through, the government could not resume the train services saying all the victims are currently undergoing treatment as it is normal.
According to him: ” The kind of trauma that both the teams and their loved ones were going through, we felt that it was not appropriate to resume rail services. The intention was for them to be here today. However, there are certain things that have to be done. One, there is need for them to be taken to the hospital to be cared for. Two days ago. Immediately they were in the hands of the military and the committee are patriots.
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“They were taken to the NAF hospital and from there to the NDA hospital.They were treated and looked after and made sure that everybody’s health was in good condition.And they were also given replays replacement of clothings. Because Mr. President happened to be in Kaduna yesterday for the passing out parade. The Nigerian Defence Academy it provided an opportunity for him to meet with the 23 that have been released to their families.
“Now, I can tell you, we are going to resume very soon. Now, in order to resume rent services, we have to put in place measures that will ensure that going forward such an incident by never ever happens in this country.And so we have a short term and a long term plan. Be mindful of the fact that when it comes to security matters, there are certain categories are people who do not mean well for other people to know exactly what you are doing.
“But rest assured that the primary responsibility of any government as enshrined in our Constitution is the protection of the citizens live and property.This will continue this is what this government has always done. And this is what this government will continue to do. The short term measures will be put in place very, very quickly to enable and services, comments. And beyond a period of three months, we will put in place a sustainable plan that will ensure that our rail lines are safe and secure and people can travel on them with their minds and hearts assured of safety”, he said.
