Tag: train

Aftermath of attack: NRC shuts down Edo train station indefinitely after scores were abducted

Aftermath of an invasion by alleged herders, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the shutdown of its Ekehen Station in Edo State till further notice.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that the station was allegedly attacked by herdsmen on Saturday evening and some passengers were abducted while many sustained bullet injuries while waiting for train at the station.

The action might not be unconnected with the recent attack and kidnap of scores of passengers at the Igueben train station by some suspected herdsmen as the corporation said the decision became necessary following rising security challenges.

This was made known in a public announcement by the NRC which was posted on the passengers’ WhatsApp Group, stating that the closure is till further notice.

The notice from NRC reads, “Public Announcement: This is to inform our general public and most especially our esteemed passengers, that Ekehen Station has been temporarily closed due to security issues, till further notice.”

Another notice reads, “Due to the incident at Ekehen station on Saturday, WITS 01/ 02 will no longer stop at Ekehen Station. Please advise our customers.”

It could be recalled that the Edo State Police command had said that scores of passengers waiting to board a train from the Igueben station in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State to Warri in Delta State were kidnapped after an attack by some suspected herdsmen.

This is coming barely 10 months after a similar incident on a larger scale occurred when some terrorists attacked a Kaduna-bound train coming from Abuja, with some reported casualties and many passengers kidnapped.

The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, where he stated that the attack which took place on Saturday evening also left many passengers injured.

The police authorities in the statement said that the abductors, armed with AK 47, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before abducting scores of intending travelers into the bush.

The police while noting that many of the passengers sustained bullet wounds, assured Nigerians that operatives are on the trail of the abductors with an aim to rescue the kidnap victims herded into the thickets Saturday.

The statement reads, “This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 2023, at about 1600hrs, an unspecified number of herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State, and kidnapped an unspecified number of passengers, who were waiting to board the train to Warri.

“The kidnappers, who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers, left some persons with bullet wounds.

The Area Commander Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men have visited the scene of the crime with members of the Edo State Security Network, local vigilantes, and hunters with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.’’

January 8, 2023
JUST IN: Alleged armed herders invade Train Station in Edo, abduct many

Alleged armed herdsmen on Saturday evening, reportedly invaded the train station in Igueben, headquarters of Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State and kidnapped passengers waiting to board train to Warri, Delta State.

This was contained in a statement by Edo State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, on Saturday night said the suspected herdsmen invaded the train station, shot sporadically into the air with AK-47 before kidnapping unspecified number of persons while some were left with bullet injuries.

Nwabuzor, however, in the statement ɗisclosed that men of the Command alongside Personnel of Edo State Security Network had visited scene of the crime, adding that bush combing had commenced with a view to rescuing the victims.

The statement reads: “This is to inform the gentlemen of the press that today, 7th of January, 2023 at about 1600hrs, unspecified number of Herdsmen armed with AK 47 riffles attacked the train station at Igueben, Edo State and kidnapped unspecified number of passengers who were waiting to board the train to Warri.

“The kidnappers who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers left some persons with bullet wounds.

“The Area Commander Irrua, DPO Igueben Division, and men have visited the scene of crime with members of Edo State Security Network, local vigilante, and hunter with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.

“Bush Combing operations have commenced in order to rescue the victims and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. Further development will be communicated.”

Details later…

January 7, 2023
[Photo] Lady crushed to death by train in Abuja

A lady was crushed to death by a train along the Chikakore axis in the Kubwa Area council of the FCT in the early hours of today December 15.

The lady who was driving in her private vehicle attempted to cross the rail line as the train was coming at high speed.

Confirming the incident, DSP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the FCT police command, said upon receiving information of the incident, investigators attached to the Byazin Divisional Police Headquarters were drafted swiftly to the scene and took charge of the situation. She said the victim was confirmed dead by a medical practitioner on the ground.

”Investigation has commenced by the Railway division having jurisdiction over the track. Findings and safety tips already existing will be reiterated to ensure a non-repeat of incident shortly.” she said

See Photos below:

December 15, 2022
‘No NIN, no boarding of train’, says FG as Abuja-Kaduna Rail service resumes in 7 days

The Federal Government says train services between the Abuja and Kaduna route will resume within seven days from Nov. 27 also stating the new requirements to board the train.

Minister of Transportation Mua’zu Sambo disclosed this on Sunday while inspecting the test running the train route.

The minister said that this was to enable passengers to get used to the new requirements for enjoying the train service.

He said: ”The issue of whether the train will start tomorrow or not, we have not said the train services will start tomorrow.

”I want to be very categorical about that. Now, we have introduced a new system before you buy a ticket.

”Your purchase of a ticket requires you to provide a phone number and a national identification number in order to profile, because that is the beginning of the security checks.

”So, at any point in time when a train moves from one station to another we know who and who are on board.

” If you don’t have a NIN you are not going to board our train. It is as simple as that.

”If you are a minor, an adult will pay for you and will register for you and an adult can only register for not more than four minors.”

Sambo added that: ”Now, we want to give sufficient time for the Nigerian public to listen to these and assimilate this new system, because if we start tomorrow, a lot of people will be disgruntled.

”Definitely between three, four, five days, certainly not more than a week.”

He assured Nigerians that 90 per cent arrangement had been completed for the smooth commencement of the services.

Sambo added that the remaining 10 per cent measures would be achieved in a couple of days for the smooth commencement.

”I think we are 90 per cent ready as far as what we are set out to do is concerned.

” The remaining 10 per cent I am sure would be achieved in the next couple of days for full resumption of train services.

”Certain concrete measures that are feasible include the ticketing. Security starts from ticketing so now you don’t buy a ticket unless you have a valid phone number and you have a NIN.

”And if you are a foreigner you also have a means of identification you can use which is produced by the National Identity Management Commission.

”Having secured your ticket, you will not get access to the lounge until the machine reads the barcode in your receipt.

”Your details will show and your complete profile will show on the screen. Only then will you be allowed to go into the lounge. This is what we call customer profiling,” Sambo said.

According to the minister, there will be an increased number of security personnel, some of whom may not be wearing uniform to guarantee passengers’ safety.

He said: ”The other thing is that, for every journey the train is monitored every second and the train driver can see up to a certain distance.

”If there is any threats on the track, that would enable him march the break before getting to the perceived threat.”

Sambo explained that there would be reduced number of trips on the route and as the traveling population picked, the number of trips would increase.

”But we will certainly not travel at night,” he said.

He further said that some other sensitive equipment which would not be disclosed had also been put in place to ensure safety of life and property.

On fares, he said discussions were in place and the fares could be increased.

”My assurance to Nigerians is that even I will be using the train, and other of my counterparts who have homes in Kaduna.

”Infact, from next week they will start using this train so I am giving Nigerians full assurance that a human being can give that this train is safe for them to use.

”There is absolutely nothing to fear. We have learnt from what has happened and life is about learning lessons and adopting measures with the lessons.

”As a responsible government, we have seen those lessons and we have devised appropriate measures to counter it.

”Like I always say that I was not going to allow this train to resume until everybody in captivity was released and to the glory of God I have achieved that.”

November 27, 2022
‘No kobo was paid’ for release of 23 Abuja-Kaduna train hostages – FG

The Minister of Transportation, Mua’zu Sambo said that the Federal Government did not pay any ransom in securing the release of the kidnapped victims of March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

Sambo told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that “no kobo was paid in exchange for the release of the last 23 hostages and other ones as well.”

The minister said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s led administration had zero tolerance for ransom payment.

“In matters that involve national security and intelligence, it is not appropriate to review exactly what measures has been taken in order to secure release of hostages of this nature.

“It is the position of this government that under no circumstances should there be collateral damage,” he said.

According to him, in other words, the military and security agencies that have been charged with the responsibility of securing the release of these hostages should not act in a way that will endanger the lives of these hostages.

“Secondly, there is a committee made up of some retired generals and some retired public officers of high ranking and status who assisted the military and security agencies throughout the process of securing the release of this hostages.

“I want to state categorically, that because this government does not support and approve of ransom payment, no kobo was paid in exchange for the release of this 23 hostages, indeed for the other ones as well.”

On resumption, Sambo said that following the release of the victims, plans were underway to resume the train services in earnest.

“ In order to resume train services, we have to put in place measures that will ensure that going forward such an incident will never happen again in this country.

“We have a short term and long term plan. The short term measures will be put in place very quickly to enable rail services commence.

“ And, beyond a period of three months, we would have put in place a sustainable plan that would ensure that our rail lines are safe and secure and people can travel on them with their mind and hearts assured of safety.”

On why the victims were not present at the briefing, the minister said they required medical care and certain other procedures were required after their rescue.

He, however, noted that after the meeting of the hostages with president Buhari on Friday, they were united with their families.

“ It became obviously difficult to get them back together and bring them here. They actually have a plan of coming to thank the government through the ministry and hopefully they will give us a date next week,’’ Sambo stated.

October 7, 2022
Man reclaims lost bag from police but busted for drugs inside

After forgetting his rucksack at Braunschweig train station in Germany at the weekend, a 22-year-old man turned to the police for help but didn’t mention the illegal drugs inside.

The police said they contacted the rail operator Deutsche Bahn and duly found the bag, and let the owner know he could come and collect it.

In the meantime, however, officers also confiscated the marijuana and a can of amphetamines which they found inside the rucksack.

The owner arrived to claim his belongings only to be hit with a charge of possessing illegal drugs.

September 19, 2022
MURIC wants return of Abuja-Kaduna train service after attack

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to families of victims of train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line to allow the train service to resume.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC Director, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

“Bandits attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, killing eight, injuring 26 and kidnapping about 300 passengers. The bandits have since been releasing their victims in batches and only 23 remain in captivity.

“Attempts by the Nigerian Railway Corporation to resume operation on the Abuja-Kaduna route was met with stiff resistance as families of abducted victims vowed to disrupt such resumption unless the victims were released.

“MURIC sympathises with families of the victims. We feel their pain. It has been traumatizing for every patriotic Nigerian and they have been praying for the victims. The kidnapped victims are in our thoughts every day.

“But no one should politicise the sad development. It is time to move on. While the Federal Government must continue to work towards the release of the 23 remaining victims, we must allow the railway authorities to resume work because thousands of Nigerians who need the services are being deprived this dividend of democracy on a daily basis. Resumption of work is therefore in the best interest of a greater majority of Nigerians,” Akintola said.

“We must base our actions on the enlightened thought of Jeremy Bentham (1907) who argued that the moral quality of an action must be judged by its consequences on human happiness. He therefore concluded that mankind must aim at the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

“We believe that it is time to apply this principle of governance and morality to the Abuja-Kaduna train attack imbroglio. It has been a very sad and unfortunate incident and we solidarise with the victims and their families. But life must continue particularly in view of the large number of citizens who are suffering the consequences.

“This is where the families of the victims need to do a rethink and allow the resumption of the train services. One major reason for this is that the disruption only serves the interest of the bandits and that of enemies of Nigeria. The decision to disrupt services was made in May 2022. Four months have passed since then and the trains have remained grounded.

“That is an integral part of Nigeria’s infrastructure. If anyone thinks he is depriving President Muhammadu Buhari of the joy of achievement in the area of railway transportation by disrupting train services, such a person is making a big mistake. It was Barrack Obama who said, ‘Hoping your president fails is the same as hoping your country fails, and it is not patriotism. Patriotism is supporting your Commander-in-Chief even if you don’t agree with him on everything.”

“Unfortunately it is another vital part of the anatomy of the North that is bleeding. Transportation facilitates ease of business and Northern economy loses crucial doses every single day that the train disruption continues. The families of the train victims should realise that only a section of the country is suffering as a result of their protestation. Train services continue to run on the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri routes.

“That is selective justice. But how much of this hurts FG? We must put on correct thinking caps and only rational, creative and progressive caps can make any meaning. We need caps that can enable us to think like true and patriotic Nigerians.

“People lose their dear ones every day. Kidnappers strike everywhere on a daily basis. The families of the victims of kidnapping and other attacks have never attempted to stop innocent Nigerians from enjoying the services of either a local or state government on account of such attacks. It is only in the case of this Abuja-Kaduna train attack that we find families of the victims turning on the government for a pound of flesh. We are therefore compelled to think there may be more to the train attack than meets the eyes.

“Unfortunately it is other innocent Nigerians who are feeling the impact of their demand. This is why we call on those threatening to disrupt the Abuja-Kaduna train services unless the victims of the attack are released to drop the demand.”

“It is no longer tenable. The threat has lasted too long without achieving the required result. Schools are still open and functioning in Chibok and in Borno in general despite the fact that majority of the Chibok girls are yet to be released.

“Another bitter truth is that those who refuse to allow Abuja-Kaduna trains to resume work are not punishing FG. They are punishing innocent Nigerians. Buhari does not ride this train. Neither does Amaechi. We need to be reasonable sometimes.

“We appeal to well-meaning Nigerians, groups and institutions to speak up on this issue. We must speak the truth to the families or whoever is behind the threat. The Arabs say ‘Silence on abomination is abomination (As-sukuutu ‘ala al-munkar munkar)’. Malcolm X was thinking along this line when he said, ‘I am for truth, no matter who says it. I am for justice, no matter who it is for or against’.

“Late Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto once said, ‘The greatest weapon is truth’. Isn’t it high time we use that weapon to find solution to the train impasse? Why are we not hearing any appeal targeted at the families of the train attack victims? Must thousands of innocent Nigerians continue to suffer like this.”

“The continued silence of stakeholders is not the best. It is true that we can speak truth to power. But it is not to power alone. We must be ready to speak truth to the other party too. That is why Samuel Butler (1835 – 1902) said, ‘Silence is not always tact, and it is tact that is golden, not silence.

“Permit us to reiterate that our appeal to families of the victims to allow train services to resume on the Abuja-Kaduna route should not be misinterpreted as asking us to forget the victims. FG must continue to seek ways of securing their release while Nigerians should continue praying for the safety of the remaining 23 victims.”

September 2, 2022
BREAKING: 7 more kidnapped victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack released

Seven (7) more kidnapped victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack have regained their freedom.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the victims were released in the early hours of Wednesday.

Recall that terrorists attacked a Kaduna-bound train on the 28th of March, and kidnapped a number of travellers.

Seven abductees have been freed from the custody of the bandits and they include six members of the same family and a woman.

The victims were released on Wednesday morning after spending 135 days in the custody of the terrorists.

It is however not clear if any ransom was paid to the terrorists for their release.

Tukur Mamu, Media Consultant to controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi confirmed the release of the abductees to newsmen.

The identities of the released family of six are Abubakar Idris Garba, his wife, Maryam Abubakar Bobo, and their eldest son, Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, who’s 10 years old.

Others include Fatima Abubakar Garba (7), Imran Abubakar Garba (5), and youngest Zainab Abubakar Garba, who is only one and half years old.

Abubakar Idris Garba, a staff of the National Assembly Service Commission, is the son of a former military administrator of Kano and Benue states.

Also released is a 60-year-old woman, Hajia Aisha Hassan, who was said to have been released due to life-threatening health challenges that deteriorated recently.

It was gathered that they were released by the terrorists at a location inside the forest along the Kaduna – Abuja highway. From there, they were picked up by their relatives.

The terrorists are still holding over 30 people hostage from the Kaduna-Abuja attack.

August 10, 2022
BREAKING: Terrorists finally release abducted Kaduna-Abuja train passengers

The Terrorists who attacked Kaduna-Abuja bound train on March 28, have finally released some of the captives after almost three months in captivity.

TheNewsGuru.com recalls the terrorists bombed parts of the rail track, forcing the train to derail, and opened fire on the passengers, killing nine and whisking away 62 persons including children and 82 years grand woman.

After spending about 74 days in the den of the captors, six females and five male captives were released on Saturday after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government.

The terrorists had threatened to start killing the victims if the Federal Government refused to negotiate with them.

According to sources, the terrorists released the male captives on health grounds and women who are among the vulnerable as part of the agreement reached with the abductors.

It says, all the abducted women are expected to be released in the first batch while negotiations for the release of the remaining victims will continue but the abductors had cut down the number of women they initially agreed to release because the Nigerian Government had demanded that they include those with life-threatening injuries among the released.

Some relatives of the abducted passengers say that they have been expecting the release of the captives noting that they have not been briefed of the recent development.

Recalled that on March 28th attack, the terrorists had released two people, one of the victims, are Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture Alwan Hassan, who was said to have paid about N100million and later, a pregnant woman who was released out of compassion.

Earlier, the terrorists had demanded the release of eight of their children said to have been in the custody of the Federal Government.

June 11, 2022
Relatives deny release of abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers

Relatives of abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers have dismissed reports on social media about the release of the passengers as false.

The denial is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna by leaders of the “Relatives of AK9” Group, Dr AbdulFatai Jimoh, and Dr Ba’aba Muhammad.

“The news circulating in the social media on the purported release of AK9 Abuja-Kaduna Train abducted passengers is totally false and the general public should please disregard it,” the leaders said.

It would be recalled that the passengers were abducted on March 28, when bandits attacked the train close to Kaduna.

Eight passengers were killed by the bandits and many others abducted.

June 9, 2022