Categories: Headlines

After Eight Months, NRC Resumes Operations At Abuja-Kaduna Railway

Train services on the route were suspended after an attack by Boko Haram. Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun.

 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has resumed operations at the Kaduna-Abuja railway, eight months after they were suspended.

In March, Boko Haram attacked a passenger train along the route, leading to deaths, abduction, and injuries to the passengers. The NRC in the wake of the attack suspended the service with the abducted persons released piecemeal.

But on Monday, operations resumed with the first train leaving the Rigasa Train Station in Kaduna to Abuja by 8:00 am. The first train also departed the Idu Train Station in Abuja to Kaduna State by 9:45 am. The Kaduna-Abuja bound train arrived at the Idu Train Station exactly at 10:22 am.

 

The FG has put several measures in place to secure the route. Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun.

There was a low turnout of passengers which was owing largely to the short resumption notice while security presence was high. Some of the security operatives who spoke to Channels Television, assured of passengers’ safety while officials of the NRC re-echoed the same thing.

Before the resumption of the services, the Federal Government and security agencies put several measures in place to ensure the safety of the passengers.

Last week, the Federal Government said passengers on the route must register their phone numbers and National Identification Number (NIN) at the point of ticket purchase.

According to the NRC, identity verification devices will be used at each train station on the route for its officials to verify the validity of the identities of passengers.

The agency also warned that it is dangerous for any Nigerian to use his or her NIN to purchase tickets for unknown persons as this may lead to criminal prosecution.

On Sunday, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, ordered the deployment of armed personnel along the route.

There was a heavy security presence in the train station upon resumption. Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun.

 

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, NEAPS, FDC, CFR, has ordered immediate deployment of armed personnel drawn from the Police Mobile Force, K-9, Force Intelligence Bureau, Explosive Ordnance Unit and Railway Police Command for the commencement of railway services along Abuja/Kaduna rail lines on Monday 5th December 2022,” a statement from the police read.

“The deployment covers major railway stations along the route and operational coaches to provide adequate security for passengers, their property, and the entire service in order to prevent any unforeseen incidence,” it added.

Emmanuel Egobiambu

Disqus Comments Loading...
Share
Published by
Emmanuel Egobiambu

Recent Posts

NSCDC Deploys 2,300 Personnel In Rivers For Easter

The personnel will ensure the protection of critical national assets and forestall any form of…

50 mins ago

Tinubu Preaches Unity, Compassion At Easter, Hails Nigerians’ Sacrifices

Easter is an event that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It…

59 mins ago

Bridging Energy Access Gap Vital For Nigeria’s Economic Growth- NNPCL

To bridge the energy access gap in Nigeria, Kyari said NNPC Ltd was working on…

1 hour ago

South Africa’s Electoral Umpire Bars Ex-President Zuma From May Election

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail in June 2021 after refusing to testify…

2 hours ago

Fallen Crypto Tycoon Bankman-Fried Gets 25-Year Sentence

Although lower than the 40-50 years sought by the government, the Justice Department praised the…

2 hours ago

Police Hand Over Delta King, Ikolo To Military

The development has been confirmed by the Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command. Bright…

3 hours ago