He said the terrorists’ leader demanded the release of his wife, newly born twins and seven other children who were in prison custody, noting that the government complied with the demand so the abducted victims could be released.

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Shehu stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa service on Friday, adding that the government would ensure the release of the remaining victims in captivity.

He said, “Anyone who says government is not doing anything about their release might be unaware of efforts government is making.

“Let me tell you, initially the gang leader demanded the release of his pregnant wife who was in jail. The govt took her to a hospital where she gave birth to twins and informed him that his wife and the twins are in good health and later all three were freed.

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“He refused to free the victims, but he gave a fresh demand of releasing 6 or 7 of his children from prison. Not only did the government release them from jail, it sent a plane to fly them from Adamawa, where they were detained, and delivered them to the terrorists.

“Again, they refused to release the victims. Instead, they asked for money, so you can not say government is doing nothing.”

Hassan Othman, one of the Kaduna passengers who recently regained his freedom after paying ransom, said the Buhari regime was not involved in securing his release.

Many of the abductees have been released intermittently after their families and associates coughed out huge amounts, some up to hundreds of million-naira.

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About 31 of the victims remain in the harrowing grip of the terrorists who say they are holding on till the government accede their demands.

(Daily Trust/Peoples Gazette)