Nigerian Railway Corporation

(NRC) on Monday resumed operations at the Kaduna-Abuja railway, nine months after nine people were killed and scores of other passengers were abducted by terrorists who attacked the train in a community near Kaduna.

Rail services on the route were abruptly suspended after the 28 March, 2022, attack.

On Monday, at exactly 9:45 a.m. the first train, since the attack, left the Kaduna terminal for the country’s capital, Abuja.

There were only a handful of passengers on board.

Armed security deployed

Before the resumption of the train services, the police announced new security measures to ensure safety of the passengers along the routes.

“The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered immediate deployment of armed personnel drawn from the Police Mobile Force, K-9, Force Intelligence Bureau, Explosive Ordinance Unit and Railway Police Command for the commencement of railway services along Abuja/Kaduna rail lines on Monday 5th December 2022,” police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

“The Nigeria Police Force has been in regular talks with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other security agencies in preparation for the commencement of operations.

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

“The IGP, therefore, assures the general public, especially intending passengers, of adequate protection of lives and property, as all hands are on deck to fortify the railway services along the route and other rail lines across the country.”

This however did not allay fears of passengers as only few turned out on the maiden service on the otherwise busy route.

PT