Tukur Mamu, a Kaduna-based publisher who negotiated the release of 11 of the passengers who were abducted from a train in March, says some of the victims have been bitten by snakes.
He disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna on Monday.
- Soldier kills fuel attendant in Niger
- Lull in ministries as Buhari yet to replace Amaechi, Onu, others
According to Mamu, there are many snakes in the forest where the captives are being held, adding that snakes usually appear at night.
“I can confirm to you that snakes are many in that forest. Some of them are victims of the snake bite as they appear frequently at night. The victims only depend on the local solution to treat them.
“The bite as we know can be life-threatening. Government is the only authority with the means and powers to end this crisis as soon as possible. And with the right approach, I can assure you it can be achieved within days or weeks. We have proven that in the release of the 11 victims,” he said.
He explained further that lack of diagnosis and treatment coupled with poor nutrition, poor sanitary conditions make them vulnerable.
Mamu assured the family of the victims that they were neither beaten nor molested, just that the condition of the place they are being kept is not favourable.