Families of the train attack victims, yesterday, laid siege at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, blocking staff from accessing the office complex.
The protesters, who arrived at the ministry as early as 7:00 a.m., lamented the prolonged silence of the government despite their outcry.
The renewed protest was sparked by the viral video where the victims were been flogged, while the women and children watched and cried.
One of the family members said they got a voice note from the bandits demanding N100 million to be paid for the release of their loved ones, but unfortunately, the negotiator said he had hands off from the matter due to insincerity on the part of the government.
They demanded to know why the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has not commented on the unfortunate incident since it happened.
They condemned her prolonged silence, saying when the Chibok girls were kidnapped in Borno State, the then first lady, Patience Jonathan, came out and cried for the release of the girls.
Hajiya Hadiza, said: “What is the first lady doing? Is she not a mother or even grandmother and she has not for once come out to speak on this matter, rather she is canvassing for women to come out to contest.”
The Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, initially said she felt their pain because her sister was also kidnapped in the ill-fated train, but she was, however, countered by the victims’ families that her sister had since been released
She, however, pointed out that the ministry is in constant talks with the security agents and the negotiators have been busy for the past three weeks.
She urged the families of the victims to channel their demands to the security agencies who are in the right position to give them the information they need.
The Minister, Sambo Mua’zu, in his response, said he is just resuming and was yet to get a briefing on the matter. He said before he resumed, he had asked the Permanent Secretary to dialogue with the families.