Afolabi Oyekunle.
Following gunmen attack on Kaduna bound train service from Abuja on March 28th 2022, which resulted into the suspension of the train services, the Federal Government has considered the situation on ground and ordered the resumption of sevices from Monday 23rd of May.
.The attacked train.
The attack resulted in the killing of nine
persons, many injured while scores are still with the gunmen who have refused to release them unless government meet their demands.
According to a press release signed by the Nigerian Railway Corporation Deputy Director Public Relations, Mallam Yakub Mahmood, the resumption is directed by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT).
According to the release, concerted joint efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted passengers being held hostage by the terrorists continue out of the public domain for strategic security reasons.
The release says the Government is concern about their safety and assures their relatives that their safe rescue is a top priority.
On the resumption of the train services while the captives are still with the gunmen, the government assures that the resumption of train service does not meant abandonment or nonchalant attitude of the government, assuring that it will never abdicate its responsibility in rescuing them.
The government also assures of its resolve not to succumb to threats by any faceless group.
Meanwhile, the Board and management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said additional security measures have being put in place at both the train stations and the tracks to ensure the safety of the passengers onboard.
MD Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engineer Fidet Edentalen Okhiria.
“These measures are not only for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) but also for all the passenger train services especially on the standard gauge railway lines.”
Passengers are enjoined to cooperate with the NRC in order to enjoin improved service delivery, safety and comfort by patiently complying with additional measures for their safety ,such as requesting for passengers National Identification Numbers (NIN) as part of internal security check.
In addition, all passengers are required to present valid photo Identification Card (ID) Reachable telephone number of next of Kin (NOK) or close relative. Online and offline purchase of tickets must contain the passengers individual profile or identification data.
“The NRC management appeals to her valued customers for understanding and invites them to cooperate with staff at the various train stations.”
Passengers are also advised to desist from obtaining tickets through unauthorized sources.”
Those spoken to by City EXPRESS NEWS said the security measures should be extended to the Lagos -Ibadan standard gauge train services, while the Nigerian Railway Corporation should ensure adequate security on all its services throughout Nigeria.
They called on the Corporation to ensure that no person no matter how place he/she is on board the trains without proper identification.
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