The Federal Government says train services on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line will resume this November.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Minister of transportation, Mu’azu Sambo made this known on Monday while giving the score card of his ministry in Abuja.
He said adequate security has been put in place to ensure the safety of passengers but did not give any specific date for the resumption.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation had suspended train service along the route after Boko Haram terrorists attacked a moving passenger train in Kaduna on March 28, 2022.
Various figures were initially bandied on the number of passengers affected in the attack. Unconfirmed sources alleged that over 900 passengers were on board the train. Kaduna state government and the then Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, however declared that the passengers on the train’s manifest were 398.
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BREAKING: Remaining 23 victims of Kaduna-Abuja train attack released
There were also conflicting accounts on the number of victims. Military sources said eight passengers were dead and 41 injured.
The victims were subsequently released in piece-meal. The last batch of 23 victims was released on October 5, according to the Secretary of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, Prof Usman Yusuf.
Reports indicated that they were released with the aid of a seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Leo Irabor.
A statement announcing their release said, “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 4:00 pm today, Wednesday, October 5, 2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff General Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on March 28, 2022.
“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation.”
The statement did not say how the military secured the release of the victims.
Yusuf, however, added that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s support made it possible to secure the release of the victims.
“The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Buhari GCFR is what made it all possible.
“Members of this Committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this Humanitarian Operation. May God Almighty Heal Our Wounds and Bring Peace to Our Land,” he said.
Following the attack, train services on the route were suspended.
