Terrorists demand millions to free train captives

Terrorists who attacked a train on the Abuja-Kaduna route have demanded hundreds of millions to free abducted passengers.

This is contrary to their initial claim that the attack on the train was not for ransom but to press home a demand from the government.

There were indications yesterday that they have made a U-turn and now want millions of naira in exchange for the captives.

The terrorists bombed the Kaduna-bound train on March 28, killing many passengers and abducting about 69 others.

In the video shot before releasing the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali-Hassan, they said they were releasing the aged Ali-Hassan on humanitarian grounds and in the spirit of the Ramadan. It was gathered that the BOA MD was released after the terrorists collected a ransom of N100 million from his family.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, told reporters yesterday that they were now demanding money from families of their captives. The Commissioner did not specify how much the terrorists were asking.