Abuja-Kaduna train operations will resume in November, says FG

The federal government says the Abuja-Kaduna train operations will resume in November.

Mu’azu Sambo, minister for transportation disclosed this to journalists on Monday.

Sambo, however, did not specify the date train services will resume in the axis.

In March, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) had suspended the Abuja-Kaduna train operations after it was attacked by gunmen on March 28, leading to the deaths, injuries and abduction of several passengers.

The minister had said operations would resume only after the abductees have been safely reunited with families.

Last month, the federal government secured the release of the kidnapped passengers, after they had spent 191 days in captivity.

“The Abuja-Kaduna mishap was indeed a very sad one. And by the grace of God, we shall not witness anything like that again,” Sambo said.

“Not only because we have committed that to prayer but we have also deliberately taken steps.

“Like you said, yes, indeed, lessons have been learned. And these lessons will be put into place.

“What are the lessons, safety and security surveillance, constant monitoring 24/7 and seven days a week, 12 months a year, all around the clock.

“The minister should be able to sit in his office and look at the rail corridor and see what is happening there.

“The president should be able to do that. The director-general of the state security service (SSS) should be able to do that and so on and all other security agencies.

“These are the measures we have put in place. Nobody will again shave our heads behind our backs.

“This month of November, we shall resume that service. Remember, I told you for those of you who are reporters from the state house, that we will not resume this service until every Nigerian held in captivity was reunited with their families.

“God has made that possible to security agencies in this country, under the able leadership and support of Mr. President.

“And it is now history. Not one of them (the hostages) was injured. Not one of them was hurt. Praise God.”