The Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali Hassan, who was abducted alongside other passengers on the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train penultimate Monday has regained his freedom.
Daily Trust reports that Hassan was among 398 passengers who bought tickets to travel the 186km Abuja- Kaduna rail line but were ambushed a few kilometers to Kaduna by terrorists who planted explosives on the rail line.
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Confirming his release, the Director, Corporate Communications, Bank of Agriculture, Gboyega Olaniyi told Daily Trust that the MD is free and has reunited with family members.
Olaniyi however declined comments on whether or not ransom was paid but sources close to the family said about N100 million was paid to secure his release.
However, in a video released shortly after Alwan was freed Wednesday, the bank MD was seen in the middle of four gunmen in front of a demobilized armoured tank with the abductors asking the government to reach out to them or they kill the hostages.
Speaker in the short clip said they did not carry out the attack to get money stating that the federal government knew of their demand, which was not stated in the video.
A member of the terrorists who spoke in Hausa said the MD was released due to his age and the spirit of Ramadan.
But a source last night said money was actually paid to the terrorists after Alwan confronted them to make a deal for his freedom, which they agreed.
“The man told them he is sick and if they didn’t strike a deal and he is dead it would be their loss. They agreed on N100 million and the money was staggered and paidat different places in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna,” he said.
By Faruk Shuaibu (Abuja) & Maryam Ahmadu-Suka (Kaduna)
