By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The lead negotiator and facilitator of the released seven kidnapped victims of the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK9 train, Tukur Mamu has disclosed that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims.

He made the confirmation in an interview with BBC Hausa radio monitored Sunday morning in Kaduna.

“No ransom was paid to secure the freedom of the seven kidnapped victims of the AK9 Abuja-Kaduna bound train victims.

“All we did was to plead with the bandits to free the kidnapped victims based on their deteriorating health condition which may lead to their death even if they did not kill them.

“Efforts by the military to take over the rescued victims after they were released was also resisted by the victims.

“They (the victims) accused government of putting their lives in danger and unnecessarily delaying their release and insisted on getting to their families immediately to be able to have urgent medical attention in view of their health condition.

“Initially we successfully secured the release of 11, now seven. While 44 are still with the bandits.

“We have done enough the rest lies on federal government to ensure they secure the release of the remaining 44 victims who are still with the bandits,” Mamu the lead negotiator and publisher of Desert Herald newspapers added.

He however, did not confirm whether ransom was paid by either government or families to secure the freedom of the 11 earlier negotiated.