Abuja-Kaduna Bound Train To Resume Service May 23

The Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT), has directed that the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) should resume on May 23.

This was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Yakub Mahmood, issued in Lagos on Monday.

It would be recalled that on March 28 a Kaduna-bound train from Abuja was attacked by armed bandits, during which no fewer than eight persons were killed and others kidnapped or missing.

Following the incident the Nigerian Railway Corporation had, on March 29, suspended train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route indefinitely.

However, Mahmood noted that additional security measures have been put in place at both the train stations and the track to ensure the safety of passengers onboard.

He said that such measures were not only for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) but also for all the passenger train services, especially on the standard gauge railway lines.

According to the statement, “Consequently, the passengers are hereby enjoined to cooperate with the NRC in order to enjoy improved service delivery, safety and comfort.

“This is by patiently complying with additional measures that will surely be introduced for the safety of our passengers, such as requesting for passengers National Identification Numbers (NIN)

“The NIN is part of our internal security check; in addition, presentation of the following must be strictly complied with before boarding the train:

“A valid photo Identification Card (ID), reachable telephone number of Next of Kin (NOK) or close relative and an Online and offline purchase of tickets must contain the passenger’s individual profile or identification data.”

Meanwhile, Mahmood also assured that the federal government is making concerted effort to secure the safe release of the abducted passengers being held hostage by the terrorists.

He said the families of the abducted victims should not misconstrue the resumption of train services as abandonment or nonchalant attitude of the government towards their plight, adding that government would never abdicate its responsibility in rescuing these valuable citizens.