Terrorists are demanding a N100 million ransom for each of the 43 abducted Abuja-Kaduna bound train passengers, who are still in their custody.
The demand was communicated to the families of the hostages last week, according to The Witness.
The terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound train on March 28, killing eight and kidnapping no fewer than 61 passengers.
As part of their demands, they requested the release of 15 terrorist commanders, their children detained by the military and an undisclosed amount of cash.
On June 12, the terrorists released 11 hostages after 75 days in captivity, while another seven regained their freedom on Saturday.
The victims were reportedly released through the assistance of the publisher of Kaduna-based Desert Herald newspaper, Mallam Tukur Mamu, who has been negotiating with the militants.
A family member of the abducted victims, on Sunday, July 10, stated that the terrorists were asking each family to get N100 million ransom for the release of their loved ones.
The source added that the seven victims that were released on Saturday, July 10, paid an undisclosed amount.
He said, “It is money that is still delaying the release of the others. The terrorists are demanding ransom now.
“We heard that the last set paid money. The terrorists have reached out to us as regards the payment of ransom.
“The situation now is that if you have your money, your loved ones would be freed. They have pegged the ransom at N100 million. It is just unfortunate,” the source added.
Another family member said they were told that the terrorists were no longer interested in negotiating with the federal government, saying that N100 million was required to free those in captivity.
He stated that they were still pleading with the terrorists to reduce the ransom as some of them could not afford the huge amount.
The source said, “My loved one has not been released, those that were released paid N100 million.
“I don’t have that kind of money. The kidnappers got in touch with us. They said they were no longer negotiating with the federal government.
“Getting N100m is the dilemma many of us don’t have,” he added.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the seven persons released by the terrorists have reunited with their families on Saturday evening, July 10.
They include Bosede Olurotimi, Abubakar Zubairu, Alhassan Sule, Sadiq Abdullahi, Muhammad Paki, Aliyu Usman as well as a Pakistani, Dr. Muhammad Afzal.
A victim, Sadiq, who is the son of former vice-chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, broke down in tears while thanking God for regaining his freedom.
Sadiq said, “The soldiers were considerate enough to hand us over to Tukur Mamu, the lead negotiator after we insisted that we will not go with them.
“The most difficult job has been done by him.
“We were all taken to his office and even before then, he has contacted all our family members to come and pick us up.
“I can confirm to you that this man did this thing alone because even our family members were taken by surprise,” ge added.
He also urged the federal government to hasten efforts to ensure that the remaining 43 passengers were released as soon as possible because of their deteriorating health condition.
When asked if the terrorists were demanding N100 million, the negotiator, Manu, said, “I sent the list to the government but honestly, there was nothing that was done.
“It was as a result of that that the terrorists threatened the attack on Kuje prison, and eventually they succeeded in rescuing many terrorists from the correctional centre.
“I think the government should explain that because it has been communicated to the government.”
Mamu commended the governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni over what he described as his “behind the scene role” in the release of the seven hostages.
He said, “Sincerely, I have so much respect for Governor Buni. From the information I have, there is no single Yobe citizen left in that forest but that governor demonstrated an uncommon concern on this issue.
“He has been in touch with me throughout, monitoring development and even reaching out to those concerned whenever there is a need to do so.
“He gave lots of support. This is a governor from the North-East far from the North-West where we have this crisis. He told me not to publicise his efforts but I had to,” he added.
The force public relations officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, while confirming the release of seven more hostages on Saturday, July 10, said he was not aware of the negotiations with the kidnappers.
