Buhari meets service chiefs, says train attack ‘matter of grave concern’

President Muhammadu Buhari has met with the service chiefs over the attack on a Kaduna-bound train on Monday night.

Several persons are believed to have been killed and abducted during the attack.

During a meeting at the state house on Tuesday, the president condemned the incident, describing it as a “matter of grave concern”.

The president directed the “immediate conclusion” of the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.

He also said the security infrastructure should be extended to cover the Lagos-Ibadan rail line.

In a statement, Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, said Buhari directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay.

“Additionally, the President charged the law enforcement chiefs to bring back all passengers kidnapped and ensure that each of the callous terrorists are hunted down and made to face justice for their heinous acts as no one or group should be allowed to make the country prostrate,” the statement reads.

The president also reiterated the call for the armed forces to “deal ruthlessly” with terrorists, urging them not to spare anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.

“No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom,” he said.

“Like most Nigerians, I am deeply pained by its occurrence, the second of its type, which has resulted in the death of a yet to be determined number of passengers and others who suffered injuries.

“The attack on the train, a safe means of transport to many, is callous; and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured.”

The president commended the law enforcement agencies for their prompt response and emergency personnel for the evacuation and treatment of the injured persons.