TheNewsGuru

Tag: Abuja-Kaduna

  • Normalcy restores to Abuja-Kaduna highway as Buhari talks tough

    Normalcy restores to Abuja-Kaduna highway as Buhari talks tough

    Normalcy has been restored to ”bandit-infected” Abuja-Kaduna highway following President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to deal mercilessly with highway criminals across the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to the presidential order, bandits had operated along the Abuja-Kaduna road for four consecutive days where they abducted an unspecified number of travellers on the highway.

    Buhari had in the week under review, again directed security agencies to urgently address the resurgence of kidnapping and other crimes on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and on other roads across the country.

    The president, who presided over meeting of the National Security Council on Nov. 25, assured that Nigerians would soon witness serious security improvement as specific orders had been given to all security agencies to tackle security challenges across the country.

    However, following the presidential order, the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with other security agencies, recorded a breakthrough as many bandits including a notorious bandit terrorising Kaduna-Abuja Highway, Yellow Magaji Arusa were neutralised.

    A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kaduna State Command, ASP Muhammed Jalige on Saturday, confirmed the killing of Magaji alongside some members of his gang.

    The police killed Magaji when they raided a facility known as Sir Joe Guest Inn, located at No.8 Sajo Street, Unguwan Maigero Area of Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    “It is significant to state that the neutralised bandit Yellow Magaji until his demise was among a syndicate of bandits terrorising Kaduna-Abuja highway of recent,” Jalige said.

    The security officials were also reported to have ambushed some of the bandits around Kaduna South Local Government Area where the bandits had gone to buy “alcohol and pentazocine; an opioid pain medication’’.

    Buhari had earlier declared open the 9th General Assembly of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), on Monday in Abuja where he raised alarm over the activities of insurgents and bandits across the African continent, saying such activities had led to more widespread displacement and poverty.

    He said: “It is not in doubt that women and children are the worst affected by the breakdown of peace.

    “Therefore, as mothers, I believe, you are in a better position to drive the processes of peace and actions where necessary.

    ”Indeed, I’m happy to know that your forum has been working towards promoting peaceful coexistence within the continent in so many ways.’’

    The Nigerian leader, however, pledged support to the resolutions of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) aimed at promoting peace and development in the continent.

    Also on Nov. 22, the president approved February 2022 as new date for the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, confirmed this development to State House correspondents at the end of a closed door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    NAN reports that the meeting was also attended by the Chairman of APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, as well as Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa.

    Bagudu, who was not specific on the exact date for the convention in February, said the convention was shifted because four states were yet to complete their congresses.

    The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, also met behind closed doors with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Nov. 22.

    Lawan, who spoke to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, expressed the hope that the president would soon sign the recently-passed Electoral Amendment Bill 2021 into law.

    NAN also reports that some governors had expressed their reservation about direct primaries as contained in the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021, urging the president not to sign it into law.

    The senate president, however, maintained that the National Assembly had done its job by transmitting the passed bill to the president for him to sign into law.

    On Nov. 23, Chief Executive Officer of the Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, and the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr Gbenga Komolafe, were officially presented to Buhari by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva.

    Ahmed and Komolafe, who addressed State House correspondents after the presentation, reassured that there were no plans to increase the official price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for now, as being speculated in some quarters.

    Ahmed maintained that the marginal queues witnessed last week at filling stations in Abuja and some parts of the country, had nothing to do with any supposed plan by government to hike PMS price.

    He, however, explained that the queues were caused by the payment logistics in US dollars by depot owners, and the issue had been addressed by relevant authorities.

    Also addressing the correspondents, Sylva said the president was happy with the level of implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

    According to him, Buhari urged the regulators in the petroleum industry to do what is best for Nigeria.

    On the recent increase in the price of cooking gas in the country, the minister said “the president is worried over the situation just like all other Nigerians.”

    Sylva said although the price of the essential commodity was not regulated by Nigeria, some steps would be taken internally to provide some relief, ahead of the yuletide season.

    The president, on Nov. 24, shortly before the commencement of the virtual meeting of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja, led the cabinet members in wishing his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari a happy 77th birthday celebration.

    The president congratulated Gambari on the attainment of age 77, and jovially saying “you are still going strong, congratulations!”

    The ministers present chorused with laughter, expressing their birthday good wishes to Gambari.

    Gambari, who joined the government as Chief of Staff following the demise of the former holder of the office, Abba Kyari, is the founder of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, a non-governmental “think-tank” established in Abuja.

    NAN reports that the Council meeting approved April 2022 as official date for the commencement of the operations of much-awaited Nigeria Air.

    The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, disclosed this when he along with Ministers of Transportation, and Finance, Budget and National Planning, Rotimi Amaechi and Dr Zainab Ahmed, respectively, briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting.

    According to Sirika, majority shares of 49 per cent of the Nigeria Air project will be owned by strategic equity partners, 46 per cent by Nigerians, while the Federal Government will own five per cent of the shares.

    The minister revealed that the council also approved N1.49 billion for the provision of Automated Civil Aviation Regulatory Equipment to be located at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

    Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, said she presented to council for information and discussion the third quarter GDP report for 2021.

    On his part, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, also revealed that he presented a memorandum to the cabinet for approval for the award of contract for the provision of training logistics, operational equipment and maintenance support for government under the Integrated National Surveillance and Waterways Protection Solution Infrastructure in Nigeria.

    On Nov. 25, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo hosted the outgoing UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, at the Presidential Villa, where he opined that elected leaders should regularly aspire to meet with the electorate.

    Osinbajo said that constant engagement with the electorate on justice, peace, security, and social contract could not be allowed to fall through the cracks as they were critical issues.

    “You cannot avoid engaging with the people; there is need to engage in a way that you are trusted. People should see that you are committed enough about their concerns,’’ he added.

    The vice-president had also participated in the 2021 LCCI Presidential Policy Dialogue on Friday in Lagos.

    Buhari had on Friday bid farewell to Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur, and his Italian counterpart, Dr Stefano Pontesilli, during the week under review..

    He wished the outgoing High Commissioner well, as he assumed higher responsibilities in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of his country.

    Also receiving Pontesilli, the president said that having spent nine years in all, in two different capacities in Nigeria, “you know our country very well”.

    He wished him a successful tour of duty at his next posting, which is Guinea-Conakry.

    NAN reports that Pontesilli was first Consul-General for his country in Lagos for four-and-a-half years and later ambassador for the same length of time.

    The president concluded the week with a greeting to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on his birthday, having attained the age of 75 years.

    He said: “Happy birthday and best wishes to Waziri Atiku Abubakar. I wish you good health and long life.”

    The president also congratulated the former military Governor of Kano State, retired Col. Sani Bello, who celebrated his 79th birthday on Saturday.

  • Abuja-Kaduna train service resumes operations amidst travellers’ apathy

    Abuja-Kaduna train service resumes operations amidst travellers’ apathy

    Barely 48 hours after bandits tampered with the rail tracks, the Abuja-Kaduna train service has resumed operations amidst the unwillingness of travellers to use the service.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) resumed operations on the route, following Thursday’s explosion on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.

    However, the Kaduna terminal station at Rigasa, has witnessed low passenger turnout.

    Recall that the NRC on Saturday resumed services on the Abuja-Kaduna route two days after it suspended operations on the route following the explosion.

    The Corporation had last Thursday announced the suspension of all operations on the route after an Abuja-Kaduna bound train almost suffered a derailment as a result of the explosion that occurred at the Rijanna area on the route.

    A check by the NAN at the Rigasa station on Sunday indicated that in spite of the resumption of normal train services, the turn out of passengers travelling from Kaduna to Abuja was till low.

    The train, with a carrying capacity of 928 passengers per trip, had barely 300 passengers on board traveling to Abuja, leaving more than half of the seats empty.

    Some of the passengers who spoke to NAN maintained that the train service still remained the safest means of transportation despite last week’s unfortunate incident.

    They, however, urged the authority concerned to ensure that they improved security along the rail lines and its surrounding areas.

    Mr Ezekiel Bala, a civil servant residing in Barnawa, Kaduna, said he was delighted with the prompt action of the NRC in addressing the unforeseen incident.

    “This development has also brought relief to many travellers coupled with the prevailing economic hardship,” he said.

    Mallam Iliyasu Kabir, a business man, resident of Ungwan Mu’azu, on his part said the early resumption of the train services had assuaged the fears of the public.

    “So many people had different speculations about the unfortunate incident, but we are happy that services have resumed. For some us, business continues as usual.,” Kabir added.

    Mrs Jamila Hassan, an entrepreneur residing in Ungwan Rimi area of Kaduna, said the development would further reduce heavy traffic on the highway that was capable of increasing road crashes.

    “The situation would have been pathetic, especially on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, considering the upcoming festivities, as the end of the year approaches,” she said.

    Mallam Samaila Dogo, a petty trader at the Rigasa train station, could not hide his joy upon seeing that the train service had resumed because the development would impact positively on his business.

    “I make brisk sales only when there are travellers who troop to the station or are returning from Abuja.

    “Some of us were already worried about where to relocate to, to earn a living, but thankfully business has resumed,” Dogo said.

    An official of NRC, who sought anonymity, told NAN that only the Headquarters could comment on the resumption of the train service, including the planned security measures to ensure the safety of lives and property of travellers.

  • Railway corporation to reduce number of trips on Abuja-Kaduna route

    Railway corporation to reduce number of trips on Abuja-Kaduna route

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) announced on Sunday that it would reduce the number of trips on the Abuja-Kaduna route from Oct.19 – Oct.21.

    Its Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, said in a statement that the reduction in the number of trips was to effect scheduled maintenance.

    He stated that rather than the daily 10 trips, there would be four trips only on Oct. 19 and on Oct. 20.

    He added that on Thursday, Oct. 21, there would be eight trips.

    “Full train services will resume on Friday, Oct. 22,’’ Okhiria assured.

    The NRC management apologised for inconveniences the reduction in the number of trips might cause to passengers.

    The NRC introduced an additional Diesel Multiple Unit on the route recently which increased the number of train trips from eight to 10 per day.

  • Insecurity: Army deploys 100 female soldiers to secure Abuja-Kaduna Highway

    Insecurity: Army deploys 100 female soldiers to secure Abuja-Kaduna Highway

    The Nigerian Army has deployed 100 female soldiers of the 1 Women Special Operation Battalion to secure the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

    The women soldiers, will form part of Operation Thunder Strike.

    It was gathered that this is the first deployment as another set of 200 soldiers are expected, making a total of 300.

    The female soldiers who are of the Women Corps are expected to compliment Operation Thunder Strike and other existing operations along the highways and the environs.

    Speaking at Kakau village along the highway where he received the 1st batch of 100 female soldiers of the 1 Women Special Operations Battalion Wednesday, El-Rufai commended the deployment by the Nigerian Army, which he said will boost security situation along Kaduna-Abuja highways over incessant kidnapping and killings on the area.

    The governor expressed hope that with the deployment of the female soldiers, the insecurity along the highways will soon be a thing of the past.

    “The problem of Abuja-Kaduna road will be over with these female soldiers because what a man can do a woman can do better.

    “We believe in the capability of women in this State.

    “I am confident the road will be the safest in Nigeria with this deployment and we will do everything possible to make this operation comfortable.

    “We are very happy to have you and I believe your presence will inspire other girls to join the military.

    “That is why we have female deputy governors to inspire other women,” El-rufai said.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe charged the female soldiers to do their best to make sure everyone in the state and the state is safe.

    Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Kaduna, Major-General Usman Mohammed acknowledged the support the Kaduna State government has provided to the military in its internal security operations.

    Major-General Mohammed thanked Governor El-Rufai and the deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe for personally coming to receive the female troops.

  • NYSC says bandits kill corps member on Abuja-Kaduna

    NYSC says bandits kill corps member on Abuja-Kaduna

    The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said that 17 corps members were accosted by a gang of armed robbers whose sporadic gun shots killed a corps member, Bomoi Yusuf.

    Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, Director, Press and Public Relations of the scheme, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “The true position is that, indeed, 17 corps members that completed the 2020 Batch “B” Stream 1B orientation programme at Ede, Osun State, on Tuesday, December, 22, 2020 boarded vehicles heading towards the northern part of the country.

    “Tragically, along Jere-Abuja Expressway, they were accosted by a gang of armed robbers whose sporadic gun shots unfortunately felled corps member Bomoi Yusuf.

    “It is imperative to state that the 16 other corps members were never abducted,” she said.

    According to her, the death of any corps member is a big loss, not just to his family, but to the scheme and the entire Nation at large.

    ”Management wishes to convey its deepest condolences to the family of Late corps member Yusuf and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the painful loss,” she said.

    She said that the Director-General of the scheme, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, admonish all corps members to adhere strictly to the safety guidelines issued to them from time to time, which particularly frowns at night travels.

  • Amaechi apologises for Abuja-Kaduna train breakdown

    Amaechi apologises for Abuja-Kaduna train breakdown

    Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has apologised to Nigerians for the breakdown on the Abuja-Kaduna rail locomotives which occurred between Nov. 18 and Nov. 20.

    The minister gave the apology on Monday at the Moniya rail station during the routine inspection of the ongoing rail project in Ibadan.

    “I want to apologise to Nigerians over what happened at the Abuja-Kaduna rail station.

    “We now have new locomotives and we have called the Chinese because we never expected the mechanical fault at this early stage.

    “On behalf of the Federal Government, the ministry and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), we apologise to Nigerians and I have instructed the NRC to fix it or invite the Chinese.

    “If this is happening now, then they should bring back our old locomotives, it will just affect turnaround times because we get the new locomotive to increase the turnaround time,” he said.

    Amaeachi called for an increase in the pace of work by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) adding that Covid-19 pandemic was no longer an excuse.

    The minister said although the CCECC were doing well, they need to increase their pace to enable the ministry to deliver the project on schedule.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mrs Madeleine Ajani, said there was significant improvement in the ongoing work from what it was in October.

    Ajani said the ministry was not shifting their date of the commissioning but would rather put more pressure on the CCECC to enable them achieve their targets.

    She explained the need for Lagos to have standard gauge train due to the population adding that in less than one and half hours that the train would move from Lagos to Ibadan.

    Ajani said that the establishment of the Standard gauge railway would also decongest both the road transportation and movement of cargo from the ports while people living in Ibadan could come and work in Lagos on a daily basis

    The Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr Fidet Okhiria, said there was improvement in the construction output by the contractors adding ”hopefully by December some of the stations would be completed’’.

    “We also need to have more stations so that passengers will not need to wait for the train to leave Ebute-Meta Station before getting to Agege station which means that the two trains can be in a section.

    “This can be done with the help of signal and communication hence train should be able to communicate with train as well as station should be able to communicate with station simultaneously.

    “The delay in the rail construction along Apapa ports corridors is due to the Oando pipeline along Apapa corridor,” Okhiria said.

    He disclosed that the train would start operating from Lagos to Moniya in Ibadan by Dec. 7.

    According to Okhiria, 24 coaches, four passenger locomotives, nine freight locomotives and shunting locomotives had arrived Lagos while two of the freight locomotives would be transferred to Warri for a project.

  • Again, gunmen kidnap travellers on Abuja-Kaduna road

    Again, gunmen kidnap travellers on Abuja-Kaduna road

    Some travellers along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway have been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

    This is coming less than a week after gunmen suspected to be kidnappers killed a lawyer and abducted the wife and his son.

    The incident took place at the home of the lawyer at the Tollgate area along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

    A source said the Thursday incident occurred around Katari village in the Kagarko LGA, also in the state between 8am and 9am.

    The source added that as they were travelling from Abuja into Kaduna to catch up with the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations slated for Friday, “we saw vehicles turning back.”

    He said as the vehicles were turning back in droves and facing the direction of Abuja, “we had no option than to follow suit. It was when we got to a safe area that we learnt of the kidnapping incident.

    “Although some of the travellers said they heard gunshots where some vehicles were parked along the roadsides, I didn’t hear the gunshots with my ears.

    “But I can confirm to you that I saw a helicopter hovering around the Katari area from where the travellers were coming from,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command had yet to confirm the incident as of the time of filing this report.

  • Abuja-Kaduna Train Service: No Mask, No Entry – Amaechi

    Abuja-Kaduna Train Service: No Mask, No Entry – Amaechi

    Ahead of the Wednesday date for resumption of the Abuja to Kaduna train service, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said passengers without face masks would not be allowed on board.

    Amaechi said this at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the train service was closed due to outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    The minister also urged all passengers to come with their hand sanitizer of 79 per cent alcohol as the ministry would not provide for passengers.

    He also revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari had also approved the upward review of fares for the railway stations as follows: economy class, N3,000, business class N6,000.

    Amaechi said most people using the train could afford to pay the fare and most people were of the opinion that it was nothing compared to the risk of kidnappers on the road.

    “If you ask the last speaker, I refused to agree that we should open the railways.

    “It is the pressure of those who want to participate in the forthcoming spiritual activities that made me accept that we will open the railways from Abuja to Kaduna.

    “What are our requirements? We don’t want to see how handsome you are or how beautiful you are, please wear for me a face mask, not a mouth mask. Nigerians wear mouth masks. If you do that, the train will stop and you will come down.

    “There is no Christian, there is no Muslim in death, I hope you know. When you die you’ll go and face your God, exactly. Some of us are not ready to face our creators, so don’t take us down there.

    “So the moment you bring down your mask, we have increased number of policemen in each coach, the police will ask him to wear back your mask for respect. If you refuse, he would ask the driver to stop,” Amaechi said.

    On wearing of face shield, Amaechi said: “Don’t come with face shield, if you want to come with your face shield, don’t forget to come with your face mask. You will not enter the station if you don’t have a face mask, you will not enter the station, if you don’t have the hand sanitizer.

    “I said mask, I didn’t say wrapper, I did not say you should cover your face with wrapper.

    “We don’t mind you covering your face with wrapper but you must show us your mask before you cover fully before you step in.

    “Come with your sanitizer that is not below at least 79 per cent alcohol. We will check it, I’m not joking. I’ll be there on Wednesday morning and I’ll be there till mid-afternoon.”

    On physical distancing, he said: “We have reduced, for purpose of physical distancing, the number of passengers coaches that convey 88 passengers will now not convey more that 50 passengers.

    “So you have your space. That’s why we increased the transport fare from N1500 to N3000 for economy; for business class N5000; and for first class N6,000.

    “First class, you don’t need physical distancing, it is just 23 seats in a coach of 88, so you have enough space but for economy and business class, you need physical distancing or social distancing and that’s why we have created those spaces.”

    He concluded by saying that “inside the waiting room, we don’t have enough seats. So if you don’t have a seat, please wait outside.

    ” It will be one bench of three seats to one passenger, no longer three persons, that is what it will be. You may not be allowed to move freely inside the coaches except you want to use the toilet.

    “Apart from using the toilet, you will not be allowed free movement. We are bringing in as many policemen as possible not only for security but for enforcement.

    “Give us between two and three months, we will start electronic ticketing, that way nobody will come to the station to buy tickets, and there will be no need for social/physical distancing,” Amaechi said.

  • NRC clears air on alleged attack on Abuja-Kaduna train

    NRC clears air on alleged attack on Abuja-Kaduna train

    The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Engr Fidet Okhiria has denied any attack on Thursday morning, on the Abuja-Kaduna train by armed men suspected to be kidnappers.

    Recall that there has been reports of armed men suspected to be kidnappers attacking the Abuja bound train with guns and other projectiles on Thursday (today) morning.

    The train, which left the Rigassa train station in Kaduna at around 10 am was reportedly attacked a few kilometers to Katari, about 70 kilometres to Abuja.

    However, the DG in a short message debunking the attacksaid: “This news was not correct.”

    Okhiria said he had been inundated with calls since the news went viral on the social media. Quoting Police sources, Okhiria said what happened was that a stone was thrown at the train by some boys, which according to him only affected the window glass of coach SP4.

    He further stated that the situation was promptly arrested by police escorts on the train who restored calm before the train continued its journey and passengers disembarked peacefully at the Idu Station in Abuja without any other incident.

    Ohiria assures train passengers of their safety even as he said investigation still continues into the cause of the Katari incident with a view to dousing the fears of the commuting public who have come to see the train as very good, reliable and safer alternative for commuting between Abuja and Kaduna as the Police continues their onslaught to dislodge the road of kidnappers who have turned the Abuja-Kaduna road into a nightmare for travelers.

    “We are assuring train passengers of their safety. The trains remain the safest and cheapest alternative to the road mode,” Okhiria further stated.

  • FG to increase Abuja-Kaduna train fare – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says the Federal Government may increase the transport fares of the rail services on the Abuja-Kaduna route following the inauguration of 10 new luxurious coaches.

    Mr. Ameachi announced this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    According to him, already, commuters have agreed that the cost of transportation to Kaduna via the rail service is a bit too cheap.

    The Minister, who said he discussed the inauguration of the 10 new coaches and two locomotives with the President, revealed that the new coaches would be inaugurated on Thursday.

    “The president is pleased with the arrangement because basically we will then be able to discharge the passengers pressure that we have had; that is why you have ticket racketeering.

    “When demand outstrips supply then you see all sorts of attempts to cheat the passengers.

    “There are two things I know the president likes. I have mentioned one, the second one is after commissioning even the passengers agree that the cost of transportation to Kaduna via the railway is a bit too cheap.

    “So there will be a need to increase the price and then there will be more comfort.

    “More comfort in the sense that when you have excess seats multiplied by the number of passengers that will come, then anybody that wants to racketeer will have to eat the tickets himself,’’ he added.

    He stated that the new coaches, when inaugurated, would bring the total number of coaches to 14 on the Kaduna-Abuja route.

    According to the minister, one of the locomotives will be dedicated to direct trip from Kaduna to Abuja non-stop (that should be doing 1hr:15 or 1hr:20 minutes non-stop).

    He said this would enable those “living in Kaduna and working in Abuja to actually come to work on time. If you leave at 6.00a.m by 7:15a.m, 7:20a.m you should be in Abuja.’’

    (NAN)