As the Abuja-Kaduns passenger train services resume Monday, the security agencies are putting up mechanisms to ensure the safety of passengers and other operators on the route to avoid the recurrence of the terrorist attack that happened early this year.
In this regard, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, 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 Passenger Train Services along Abuja/Kaduna rail lines on Monday 5th December, 2022.
The Nigeria Police Force has been in regular talks with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other security agencies in preparation for the resumption 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 in order to prevent any unforseen 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.
The Abuja-Kaduna Passenger Train Service was suspended after the deadly explosives and Gun attack by Terrorists that led to the death of 8 passengers in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
Dozens of the passengers who survived the initial attack were abducted by the attackers while others were rescued by Security Forces who reportedly engaged the attackers in a firefight.
The abductees were later released after negotiation with the Terrorists led by Tukur Mamu, who according to an indictment later made against him by the Department of State Services collaborated with the Terrorists.
He allegedly negotiated for the payment of hundreds of Millions of naira in ransom payment for the terrorists by members of the families of abductees.
The last of the abductees were released in October and the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railways Corporation have since then been working to restore the highly successful Passenger Train Service between Abuja and Kaduna.