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Tag: Train Attack

  • Kaduna train attack: Reps blast Service Chiefs over failure to honour invitation

    Kaduna train attack: Reps blast Service Chiefs over failure to honour invitation

    The leadership of the House of Representatives on Wednesday in Abuja frowned at the failure of the nation’s service chiefs to appear at a strategic security meeting.

    The house leadership called the meeting in the aftermath of a series of terrorist attacks in Kaduna State.

    The lawmakers, led by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Wase, expressed their disappointment at the service chiefs and refused to meet their representatives.

    He said that the meeting followed a resolution of the house and the invitation letters sent to the service chiefs were very clear.

    Wase said the house was not seeing results of the money appropriated in the light of the recent terrorists attacks on the Kaduna International Airport and a Kaduna-bound passenger train.

    The deputy speaker said that the parliament needed to ask questions which the service chiefs must answer in person, and not through representatives.

    He said that sending representatives with excuses was not acceptable, saying that it was only in the Nigerian parliament that people are summoned and they would refused to show up.

    Wase said that the attacks were a result of lack of synergy between the different arms of government, though the parliament had been very cooperative and faithful in the appropriation of funds.

    In his ruling, Wase called off the meeting and rescheduled it for Thursday, March 31 at 3 p.m at the same venue.

  • Train attack: Saraki lists 5 things government must do to end insecurity

    Train attack: Saraki lists 5 things government must do to end insecurity

    Former President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has listed five things that the federal government must do to end the current insecurity across the country.

    In posts on his verified social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, Saraki, who presided over the 8th Senate’s 20-Point Security Recommendations which were forwarded to the executive, emphasized the need for effective intelligence sharing and the use of technology in order to combat terrorism in Nigeria.

    The former President of the Senate said:

    “In the last 96-hours, terrorists have overrun an airport, bombed two trains with thousands of Nigerians, and killed and injured several innocent citizens. As angry as I am — and we all are — about these attacks, one thing is clear: THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

    “The recent attack we have seen at the Gidan train station is yet another example of why people no longer feel safe in Nigeria.

    “We have seen too many attacks in too many communities across the country. We have lost far too many lives to still be at this point — commiserating daily with one family, one community, or the other. We need real solutions.

    “As I have reiterated for many years, drastic and decisive steps need to be taken to review our nation’s basic security infrastructure to protect lives and property.

    “One, the federal government must immediately establish an inter-agency task force that will formulate strategies to smoke out all bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja rail and vehicle routes. The recommendations of this task force must be acted upon immediately. In the long term, the task force should provide Nigerians with a strategy for ridding the entire country of bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers.

    “Two, the service chiefs must have a meeting and develop an immediate plan for inter-agency collaboration. The gaps in coordination, intelligence-sharing, and synergy amongst our security agencies must be immediately redressed.

    “Three, we must adopt 21st-century solutions to our present-day problems. We must make better use of technology to track the activities of these terrorists. We must equip our security operatives with the modern tools and equipment that they need to keep us all safe and prevent such attacks in the future.

    “Four, we cannot view these attacks in isolation. Our intelligence network must be proactive. We must be able to analyze and plan effectively to deal with all perceived threats and all enemies of the Nigerian people.

    “Five, we must show the strength of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by making sure that our Police, DSS, and Armed Forces immediately find, apprehend and prosecute all those that planned, participated, or facilitated these attacks in any way.

    “We cannot continue like this. Two days ago, 970 people were attacked on a train between Katari and Rijana. Yesterday, Gidan. A few days ago, terrorists attacked the Kaduna Airport. Our people cannot continue to live with the constant pervasive fear of: “Where next?”

    “For the sake of all Nigerians, we need real solutions and decisive action,” Dr. Saraki stated.

  • Train attack: Union wants evening operations abolished

    Train attack: Union wants evening operations abolished

    Disturbed by the attacks on trains on an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train Monday night, the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR), asked the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, to suspend the night train operations on the route.

    The umbrella body of workers of the agency in a statement described as “regrettable” the inability of the corporation to implement its security observations on how to improve the security and safety of the train services.

    The union said it has advised NRC to discontinue the night train service until the security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.

    A signed electronic statement by the union’s secretary-general, Segun Esan, said: “We were shocked to the marrows when we were reached with the sad news of yet another terrorists’ attack on our Abuja – Kaduna passenger train, which happened around 8 pm on Monday 28th March, 2022.

    “As a responsible union, we are completely touched and held in thrall that such a dastardly and unprovoked terrorist attack can befall the flagship and the essence of our operational existence as a corporation for the second time in quick succession having tasted the gall of this terrorists’ attack on our passenger train in October, 2021.

    “We regret that there is no proof that all our observations expressed to the NRC management on improving the security and safety of the train service was taken, especially our advice that night train service be stopped till security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.

    “We, therefore, use this medium to appeal very profusely to all Nigerian Railway workers in particular and to all Nigerian families whose members might have been affected in one way or the other by this terrorists’ attacks our condolences. In due course, the leadership of the union will make a specific pronouncement on the unfortunate incident.

    “Nevertheless, the union is still gathering information and processing same analytically with a view to arriving at rational convergence leading to making a definite official pronouncement. Meanwhile, the president general and members of the Central Working Committee (NWC) will visit AKTS very shortly in order to have a first-hand the incident.” of the incident.”

  • Train attack: Sen. Anyim condemns attack, cancels campaign

    Train attack: Sen. Anyim condemns attack, cancels campaign

    A former Senate President and a 2023 PDP presidential aspirant Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, has condemned the attack on a Kaduna-bound train on Monday, describing it as ‘barbaric and inhumane.

    He made the condemnation on Tuesday in Abuja in a statement signed by Ahmed Buhari, spokesman of his presidential campaign organisation.

    Anyim also cancelled all his political activities and consultation tours for the rest of the week in honour of those who lost their lives and those still being held by the bandits.

    He prayed for a quick recovery for the wounded and comfort for the families that lost their loved ones.

    The senator expressed deep sorrow over the fate of innocent Nigerians, some of whom lost their lives, got injured or are been held hostage or traumatised as a result of the wicked act of the criminals.

    The senator recalled his open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, in which he counselled the government that military actions alone would not solve the current insecurity problems in the country.

    He recommended to the government that a process akin to the Willinks Commission of 1958 be thoroughly looked into in order to find lasting solutions to the issues that were fueling insecurity and disharmony in Nigeria.

    Anyim said that whatever had pushed Nigerians into killing their fellow citizens in these large numbers and at such frequency was serious enough to command the urgent attention of both the government and every leader in the country.

    He urged the security agencies to spare no effort in rescuing the passengers of the ill-fated train that were still being held by the criminals.

  • Kaduna train attack: Railway workers speak on death of TUC Secretary General

    Kaduna train attack: Railway workers speak on death of TUC Secretary General

    The Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NURW) on Tuesday expressed shock over the death of General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Musa-Lawal Ozigi, in the Kaduna train attack on Monday night.

    The union’s Secretary General, Mr Segun Esan, in an interview in Lagos, described the incident as shocking and devastating.

    TUC had earlier confirmed the death of its General Secretary, Ozigi, who was among passengers on board the Abuja-kaduna train attacked by terrorists on Monday night.

    ‘’It is most unfortunate and painful that such a resourceful and ebullient fellow as the General Secretary of TUC would be lost to this attack.

    ‘’May his soul rest in peace and may God imbue our government at every tier the wisdom to tackle this menace of attacks on innocent souls. Amen,’’ he said.

    Esan also described as unfortunate the increasing psychological trauma that survivors had to face following the attacks on trains.

    He said: ‘’I hope the Federal Government will begin to initiate a comprehensive risk assessment of the railway industry with special attention on the elements of threats, vulnerability and consequences.

    ‘’This is in order to end these frequent attacks on the trains.‘’

  • Train Attack: Buhari directs immediate implementation of security solution

    Train Attack: Buhari directs immediate implementation of security solution

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line.

    He also directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation management to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay while the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution should also be extended to Lagos to Ibadan railway line.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Spokesman in a statement, said that Buhari gave these directives after receiving briefs from the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, on Tuesday in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Irabor was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba

    Also in his company were the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, in the State House.

    The president also charged the law enforcement chiefs to bring back all passengers kidnapped.

    He also directed that each of the callous terrorists be hunted down and made to face justice for their heinous acts as no one or group should be allowed to make the country prostrate.

    He reiterated his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists.

    He urged them to be more decisive and not spare anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.

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

    Buhari strongly condemned the bombing of the passenger train, describing it as a “matter of grave concern.”

    “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,” he said.

    The president commended the Law Enforcement agencies for their prompt response and emergency personnel who were responsible for the evacuation and treatment of the injured persons.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen, Irabor, who spoke with State House correspondents after the closed door meeting with the president, explained the purpose of their visit to the president.

    “We have come to brief the President regarding the unfortunate incident of yesterday, where some criminals, bandits had gone to lay improvised explosive devices on the rail tracks.

    “And, a passenger train was demobilised and seven Nigerians were killed, 29 others wounded and some were kidnapped and we are yet to establish the exact number.

    “So, we went to the scene this morning, inspected the entire area and gave out instructions on what is to be done and we have come to brief the President on this development,” he said.

    According to Irabor, security agencies will build on the lessons they have learnt from the latest incident.

    He, therefore, assured Nigerians that the military and other security agencies would not rest on their oars until normalcy is restored.

    “The challenge of insecurity is a constant one and so the defence and security agencies need to be on their toes 24/7.

    “This is unfortunate and we believe that the lessons out of this are what we need to build upon going forward.

    “I can perhaps use this opportunity and reassure the nation that based on the president’s directive, we will take every necessary action, not just to apprehend those behind this dastardly act are not just apprehended but for them to also face justice.

    “Going forward, certainly there will be greater security for the nation and I will like to urge everybody to go about their normal duties,” he said.

  • Tinubu cancels 70th birthday celebration over Kaduna-Abuja train attack

    Tinubu cancels 70th birthday celebration over Kaduna-Abuja train attack

    Following the attack on a train that was travelling on the Kaduna-Abuja rail line on Monday night, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has cancelled celebrations for his 70th birthday.

     

    Tinubu, who clocked 70 on Tuesday, was not available at the Eko Hotel and Suites,as guests were already seated when the announcement was made.

     

    A media aide to the Lagos State governor, Jubril Gawat, in a tweet, confirmed the non appearance of Tinubu at the venue of the event.

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

    According to him, Tinubu said the Kaduna-Abuja train attack calls for sober reflection and not celebration.

     

    He said: “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced officially that the birthday event has been officially cancelled and everyone should go home.

     

    “Asiwaju prays that may the souls of the departed rest In peace,” Gawat tweeted.

  • Abuja-Kaduna train: What Army Chief said during visit to scene of terror attack

    Abuja-Kaduna train: What Army Chief said during visit to scene of terror attack

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Tuesday visited the scene of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack and ordered troops to intensify search and rescue operations as well as hunt down the terrorists.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Nwachukwu said the COAS had assessed the security situation around the general area of the attack and inspected the attacked train, as well as the rail track to evaluate the degree of damage.

    He said Yahaya was accompanied by some principal staff officers of the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division.

    “He ordered the troops of the Nigerian army and other security agencies to intensify their search and rescue operations to ensure that the kidnapped victims were rescued unconditionally.

    “The COAS has also assured Nigerians that the troops would be undeterred and vehement in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality.

    “He urged members of the surrounding communities and all Nigerians to continue to avail troops with credible information to enhance their operations across the country.

    “Yahaya observed that the attack reverberates the need for critical stakeholders to review the security of railways across the country in order to achieve the desired security architecture for railway transportation,” he said.