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Tag: train

  • Abuja-Kaduna train attack: NRC announces restoration of track access

    Abuja-Kaduna train attack: NRC announces restoration of track access

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed that the track access between Abuja and Kaduna is now restored.

    The Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr Fidet Okhiria, confirmed the development in a statement issued by Director Operations of the NRC, Mr Niyi Alli, on Thursday in Lagos.

    Okhiria explained that the south end of the tracks, destroyed by explosion, has been successfully joined with the north end.

    He said: “In our concerted efforts at restoring the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) tracks corridor for resumption of service, please note the latest updates as follow:

    “The connection of the AKTS line has been achieved. This implies that the major track components (Concrete Sleepers and Rails) have been completely laid.

    “The south end of the tracks (which was destroyed by the explosion), has been successfully joined with the north end. Track access between Abuja and Kaduna is now restored.”

    Okhiria said the technical team would continue with other track stablisation works including Ballasting, Temping, Fastening of accessories (clips, bolts and nuts) and Welding.

    He reminded that the Loco 2502 which was involved in the accident (though not damaged) and trapped at the Rigasa end due to lack of route access, has now crossed to the Idu end.

    The managing director added This has been taken to the workshop for proper examination and routine maintenance.

    Okhiria said as had been mentioned in earlier releases, the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) would resume soon with additional security measures put in place.

    He reminded that passengers would be required to provide their NIN registration for verification prior to purchasing train tickets, adding that this was for improved passenger profiling and safety on board.

    The managing director said: “We will continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that all persons being held are rescued unhurt and reunited with their families soon.

    “We continue to pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate attack.

    “We also pray that Almighty God to continue to grant the families of those who lost loved ones, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    “We equally pray for the full recovery of those injured in the ill-fated AK9 train service of 28 March, 2022.”

    Okhiria said in compliance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, it encourages anyone still looking for a loved one or for update to please contact the following numbers in its situation room: Mrs Lola 08023310145 and Mr Mahmood 07038356015.

    He said the NRC continues to express its profound gratitude to the security agencies for the continued support, especially for the security cover availed its officials and staff at the incident site.

    The managing director said as customary, the corporation would update the general public of the latest developments.

  • What we are doing to return Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostages – Buhari

    What we are doing to return Abuja-Kaduna train attack hostages – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured families of those kidnapped by bandits in the ill-fated Abuja-Kaduna train service of March 28 that efforts were on-going to ensure their safe return.

    The president gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja when he hosted residents of the FCT who paid him Sallah homage.

    He directed security agencies and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide detailed information to families of the victims regularly saying government would explore every opportunity to secure their return alive and unhurt.

    “As we celebrate this occasion with joy amidst friends and family members, we are fully conscious of the fact that many families in our country are in a state of fear and anxiety.

    “This is on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will; including those taken away in the tragic attack of the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

    “I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping.

    “I urge the Railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute-by-minute engagement with families of the captives.

    “This should ease their pain and anxiety as we push the military to ensure their safe return to their families. My aim is to see all those in captivity safely rescued.

    “Let me assure Nigerians that the bandits are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed.

    “They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly,’’ he said.

    According to the president, bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, don’t respect the rules of engagement and can resort to harming hostages when attacked.

    “They don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. It’s a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience.

    “Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success.

    “Government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling.

    “The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive.

    “Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits requires more than weapons; we also need human intelligence which is necessary to frustrate terrorists’ plans.

    “The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups,’’ Buhari stressed.

    The president urged Nigerians to create a hostile environment for criminals hiding in communities, admonishing that “by protecting criminals from exposure, you are endangering your own security and the security of your own community.

    “No criminal can thrive in an environment where he faces the risks of exposure by the people.’’

    According to him, a stronger synergy between security agencies and communities will make a huge difference in defeating banditry and terrorism.

    President Buhari allayed fears that bandits would grow to yet another big challenge as faced by the Boko Haram threat, assuring that the administration would not allow such to happen.

    “This administration has allocated huge resources to improve the capacity of our security forces by timely giving them adequate equipment and improving the welfare of personnel to boost their morale.

    “Abuja has witnessed remarkable improvement in terms of security.

    “In the past, terrorists made it almost impossible to conduct our normal lives. Road barricades had overrun the capital city and people had to pray in fear because of the anxiety of terrorists’ attacks.

    “No place in the FCT was beyond the terrorists. Not even the United Nations building; not even the Police Headquarters.

    “Today, the situation is no longer so.

    “We have significantly weakened and crippled the capabilities of the Boko Haram terrorists so much that they no longer have the ability to seize, and occupy any Nigerian territory without being repelled by our gallant troops.

    “Of course, we can’t say that the terrorists are 100 per cent destroyed, but we have destroyed their ability to seize our territory.

    “This improvement in terms of significantly weakening the enemy is necessary for finally defeating them.

    “The rate at which the terrorists are giving up their weapons and surrendering to our troops is a significant and welcome development,’’ he told his visitors.

    The president commended the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, for “diligently ensuring the capital city stays safe and attractive’’.

    He also thanked FCT residents for visiting the Presidential Villa.

    “It’s my pleasure to welcome you all to the Presidential Villa. As is the tradition, people pay homage to the president as part of events to mark the Sallah celebrations.

    “I value these kinds of visits because they afford me the opportunity to interact directly with the people or with their representatives.

    “I commend FCT residents for living in peace and harmony for years since the capital officially came into being,’’ the president said.

    President Buhari stated that the welfare of the people of Abuja and that of all Nigerians would continue to remain paramount in government’s agenda.

    “The physical development of Abuja and the provisions of infrastructure is our priority.

    “Since the coming of this administration, we have made the completion of abandoned and on-going projects our priority.

    “For Abuja to attract investors as its population expands exponentially, the provision of infrastructure is essential.

    “A federal capital should answer its name and it cannot do so if it lacks the necessary infrastructure to accommodate and accelerate development.

    “Abuja has expanded beyond the imagination of even its planners.

    “This expansion comes with great challenges. In line with its objectives to transform Abuja into a befitting modern city, the FCT administration under the minister, Mohammed Bello, has been doing a great job,’’ he added.

    According to him, the completion of the Abuja Light Rail is one of the major projects embarked upon by his administration for inhabitants as development of infrastructure remains essential to economic growth.

    He said government would continue to pay serious attention to internal and arterial roads to other states, and to electricity.

    “Our priority is the welfare of the people.

    “The Second Niger Bridge which has dragged on for years is now to be completed by this government in October this year,’’ Buhari added.

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who was also present, expressed his gratitude to the president on behalf of all the invited guests for hosting the homage.

    He recalled the last time such gathering was possible was in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “We thank God Almighty for giving us back such opportunity. It also tells us that indeed everything and all belong to Almighty God.

    “If this programme had held at your residence, Mr President, it would not have taken this large people, I think that even COVID-19 has a silver lining; here we are with so many people who are able to come.

    “This is a perfect opportunity to thank God that our nation is together and united in spite of challenges faced which are not peculiar to our nation.

    “I want to thank Almighty God, Mr President, for giving you all that you have required and life to continue to tackle these challenges and surmount them.

    “I pray the Almighty God to help you and help our government to tackle every one of these challenges as we confront them,’’ Osinbajo said.

    In his remarks, the Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Bello, expressed gratitude to God and to the president for the opportunity to pay the traditional Sallah homage at the State House.

    He also noted that the last time such homage held was on June 4, 2019 when residents came during the Eid al-Fitr.

    “I want to thank you also for graciously agreeing to allow us to come in with a high number of people representing a very large spectrum of the FCT community.

    “Visitors here include religious leaders of various denominations, the Muslim and the Christian faith, community leaders, the Judiciary, members of the National Assembly representing the FCT as well as other stakeholders,’’ Bello said.

  • The state and the train hostages – By Dakuku Peterside

    The state and the train hostages – By Dakuku Peterside

    It is no longer surprising that Nigerians hear or read about insecurity in various parts of the country. We have become so narcotised and insensitive to the news of insecurity that when kidnapping, bombing or attacks on villagers by bandits, terrorists, or other non-state actors happen unless people were killed, maimed, or taken hostage in their hundreds, it hardly makes news, and if at all it does, it will be back burner or minor news with little significance. Neither does it shock us nor cause moral panic as it did in the past. These days, we have priced insecurity into our daily lives that it is almost becoming uncommonly common.

    Nigerian citizens have no place to hide, and they have no actors to look up to for protection and solace. The state seems to have failed in its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of the Nigerian people, and worse still, we live in limbo without any hope. Bandits and terrorists attack at will, destroy lives and property, and cart away unlucky victims into exile, with little or no consequences. People are resorting to self-help to protect themselves and their loved ones, and gradually, Nigeria is snowballing into a Hobbesian state of war of every man against every man. Events prove that we are on a precipice, waiting for a slight push into the abyss each passing day. It is frightening that those whose responsibility it is to salvage the situation are playing Russian Roulette with our collective existence.

    It has been a slippery slope to damnation. Nothing much has changed from the kidnapping of Chibok girls that shocked the world to the recent attack on the Kaduna train. The Nigerian state has not risen to its responsibility to protect and defend its citizens. Some of the Chibok girls are still in captivity, and so are some other victims of these heinous crimes against humanity, with no definite actions from the Nigerian state.

    It is deplorable that 35 days after the terrible train incident, over 168 persons, including pregnant women, abducted and their families, are still crying for action from the state to help release the victims and bring justice to the perpetrators. The train hostages are not the first and may not be the last set of hostages that present the Nigerian state as helpless and hapless in combating insecurity in the country.

    Statistics reveals the growing trend in kidnapping since 2013 and ranked Nigeria among the top five countries known for kidnapping for ransom. By analysing data collected through the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) between 2015 and June 2021, Hum Angle observed a growing trend in the number of mass abductions and the total number of victims of kidnapping in Nigeria. While in 2017, there were 484 kidnap victims, the figure grew to 987 the following year, then 1,386 in 2019 and 2,860 in 2020.

    Between January 1 and June 30, 2021, at least 2,944 people have already been kidnapped — making 2021 the worst year yet based on this security index. These numbers are higher if communities along the border areas in Cameroon, Chad, and the Niger Republic are considered. We can easily speculate that data for 2022 will even be worse than 2021.

    Furthermore, political induced conflict , citizen alienation, terrorism and violence define the Nigerian insecurity scene. According to the Global Peace Index, Nigeria is included among the countries with the least peace globally, and it is the 17th unpeaceful state in the world. Besides, the Global Terrorism Index reports that Nigeria is the third country most affected by terrorism. Same report says there is a substantial risk of mass killing or genocide in Nigeria, and Nigeria is the second country in Africa with the highest risk of genocide and the sixth worldwide.

    This risk is influenced by over two hundred million people, a high child mortality rate, ongoing battle-related deaths, a history of mass killing, and ethnic agitation “. These disturbing facts are apparent, yet we do not see serious actions from the state to change the narrative and stem the decent to anarchy we are witnessing daily. Nigeria seems to have failed its citizens and is watching while insecurity becomes a permanent feature of our country. Nigerians are screaming for more effective and efficient tangible actions to radically reduce or eliminate our land’s insecurity.

    In a recent statement, John Campbell, a former US Ambassador to Nigeria, notes that the inability of the Nigerian government to keep its citizens safe and secure is one of the signs of a weak or a failing state. The state’s inability to defend citizens against robbery, natural adversity, and economic vagaries is a symptom of failure, and worst is its failure to protect its citizens from non-state actors from within and outside the country.

    Going by Ambassador Campbell’s statement and other definitions of failure of the state in its responsibility to citizens, the question to ask is, has the Nigerian state failed its 168 citizens kidnapped in the last 35 days ago? To these 168 Nigerians, “Nigeria has happened to them” – a statement that characterises the rising hopelessness and an uncanny acceptance that Nigeria connotes terrible things, and when it happens to you, it is the worst thing you can face.

    “Nigeria has happened” to one of the kidnapped women who had the unfortunate situation of having her baby in a dungeon amidst terrorists and kidnappers. What a way to enter the world for the new baby! This incident makes a mockery of the many excuses of the state. The terrorists and kidnappers brought doctors and medical supplies into the forest to get the baby delivered. Yet our security operatives have not managed to fish them out. The kidnappers successfully managed labour delivery, contacted the family, broke the delivery’s news, and sent photos of the new baby to the woman’s family and the world.

    Where are our intelligence operatives with all these happening? If the kidnappers interact within the community, why can’t the intelligence operative track them through those means? The state must take this issue of insecurity more serious than it does now. The minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, claims that the state’s actions to release the kidnapped victims are confidential. He expects Nigerians to trust the government and believe that the victims will be released soon. But history is not kind to such expectations. Similar past events have shown that such hope in the government may be misguided. “Once beaten, twice shy”.

    The average Nigerian citizen has expectations of the government – that it will secure citizens’ lives and properties in most cases. This expectation aligns with all citizens’ social contract with the state and expects the state to abide by that creed. The situations where non-state actors cross boundaries and attack unarmed civilians in their villages are unacceptable. Similarly, when citizens going about their regular businesses are terrorised and kidnapped by internal non-state actors, and 35 days later, nothing meaningful seems to have been done by the state is against decency and good taste.

    Nigerians have the right to demand security and safety of their lives and property, and the state must act quickly to fulfil that. Erosion of trust in the state to protect citizens will lead to anarchy and mayhem.

    The international community has expectations of the government too. It expects the government to maintain and protect its territorial integrity and monopolise control of all instruments of coercion within its territory. Nigeria is a regional power and has a history of keeping regional peace in the sub- Saharan region. This history earned it the respect of the world in the past. How the giant of Africa faltered to the point that non-state actors are constantly challenging and sometimes outmanoeuvring it beggars belief.

    Security-wise, Nigeria is almost becoming the butt of jokes among countries within the region who hitherto rely on it for security. This anomaly must be contained very quickly. The Nigerian state has no business competing for control of territory with non-state actors, and where this is the case, it must do whatever it takes to restore its control over all its parts and deal decisively with all forms of local banditry, terrorism, and secessionist rebellion with its might.

    Nigerians and the international community have been expecting this for a long time, and this is the time to make it happen. The pertinent question here is, how can Nigeria solve the insecurity crises facing it?

    Among the many apparent solutions to the problem of insecurity is the most practical one – the state must rein in its security forces and give them everything they need to succeed. It is crucial to empower the security forces and provide them with the mandate with clear deadlines to wipe out bandits and insurgents. Adopting effective kinetics and non-kinetic approaches in tackling criminals will improve the situation.This is time for action and not statements or declarations.

    The state should optimise intelligence and involve the people in intelligence gathering. By the way, the bandits are humans and live and interact within communities. Good intelligence gathering will help the security forces efficiently deal with insurgencies, including banditry and kidnappings.

    The insurmountable nature of insecurity in Nigeria is heart-breaking. It is time for a change in thinking in tackling insecurity. There is no sense in doing the same thing repeatedly that gives the same results. We need to change tactics and resolve to deal a decisive blow to non-state actors terrorising the citizens and our way of life. We should start with the perpetrators of the train bombing last month. Government must make it a duty that it owes Nigerians and the victims of the train terror attack to rescue the 168 victims of the ordeal, plus the new baby, and bring to justice, the criminals who committed the crime. It is now or never!

  • Sanwo-Olu sends warning to Lagosians, says Lagos Blue Line Rail will run on electricity

    Sanwo-Olu sends warning to Lagosians, says Lagos Blue Line Rail will run on electricity

    The Lagos Blue Line Rail will run on electric power, especially the Iganmu, Mile 2 route, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said while warning Lagosians not to step on the tracks when operations have started.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Sanwo-Olu, who made this known on Sunday, stressing that a lot of advocacy and communication will be done and that warning signs will be put in place to ensure safety.

    Sanwo-Olu made this known while addressing journalists at the Marina Train Station after about three hours of inspection of ongoing works on the Blue Line rail project and stations at the National Theatre Iganmu, Orile, Suru Alaba, Mile 2 and Marina axis of the State.

    “The Blue Line, for emphasis, would be running what we call an EMU. It is going to be an electric motor vehicle. The trains are going to be running on electric. So, they need to have power on the rail tracks.

    “So, that is why we are getting to a stage where there is going to be a lot of advocacy. There has to be a lot of information, communication on to the citizens, especially where the tracks are on ground level from Orile station to Mile 2.

    “And if you have a track at ground level, that is electric… by the time these tracks start, they are electric tracks, they are going to be running on electricity and citizens or anybody whatsoever cannot walk on them.

    “This track is not like the Red Line. The Red Line is DMU but the Blue Line is EMU,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    The Governor reassured residents of the State that the government was on track with its efforts to complete works on both the Blue and Red lines rail projects, which are intra-city, to strengthen the intermodal transportation system.

    He said work on the Blue Line rail project was at 90 percent completion as contractors were working seven days a week so that Lagosians would ride a train on the rail by the first quarter of 2023.

    While stressing that there is no going back on the 2023 first quarter deadline, he revealed that the Lagos State Government will acquire additional two sets of four train coaches in September.

    “I’m reassuring Lagosians that we are on track to complete works on both the Blue and Red Line projects. I am particularly happy to report that the Blue Line rail project is currently at 90% completion.

    “The first phase of the Blue Line project starts from Mile 2 and terminates at Marina. We are happy that the contractors are working seven days a week.

    “The major aspect apart from the Marina Station is a sea crossing from Eko Bridge to join outer Marina.

    “This would be done in about three months. By the time we will be back in July, the concrete construction should have been completed,” Sanwo-Olu said.

  • NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on tickets – Amaechi

    NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on tickets – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to handover tickets and passengers’ identification to Secure ID, the company in charge of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna rail service.

    According to Amaechi, this will help in reducing incidents of crime and also curb security challenges on the route.

    ‘What the National Assembly told me is that NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on the tickets’

    Amaechi said this when the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission(ICRC) visited and presented the Full Business Case Certificates (FBC) for the Lagos- Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri E-Ticketing service, to him in Abuja.

    He said the introduction of the E-Ticketing platform for Abuja-Kaduna, blocked all revenue leakages and increased generated revenue on the route from about N100million to N400million monthly.

    “The benefits of the E-Ticketing is that we rose from N100million to N400 million per month, which is an improvement.

    “We have been able to do something that will eliminate leakages.

    “The one I think I may disagree with the public, is the issue of ticket racketeering, I have spoken with the person in charge of Abuja-Kaduna e- ticket platform to take over the identification process from NRC.

    “Because what the National Assembly told me is that NRC doesn’t cross check the identification of passengers on the tickets. They wanted to do it, but they have not gotten the approval from NRC.

    “So, I have told NRC to allow them do it, so that we match faces with the names, it’s not all about crime alone but is also security, so we release it to those security outlets.

    “Even though we cannot eliminate 100 percent crime and corruption, it will reduce the danger of having to run into security crises.

    ”So, that we know that what we are battling with is not crises in our terminals, but on the way and I believe that, that also will be sorted out as we go to cabinet for approval of the security gadgets, “Amaechi said.

    While presenting the FBC, Mr Michael Ohiani, the Acting Director-General of the ICRC, he however said that the concession was for a period of ten years.

    According to Ohiani, it will generate over N140billion for the country during the period and also help create over 3000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

    “The concession is for 10 years. It is going to generate over N140billion to the Federal Government, most importantly, it will also create job opportunities for over 3000 direct and indirect jobs.

    ” The next phase is for the Hon. Minister to take it to the Federal Executive Council for approval and the Ministry of Justice will now clear it, “Ohiani said.

  • Language of Kaduna train attacks really important – Ikeddy Isiguzo

    Language of Kaduna train attacks really important – Ikeddy Isiguzo

    Ikeddy Isiguzo

     

    WHAT struck in the midst of the tragedies of the past week, particularly the attacks on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, is the continued helplessness of Nigerians. The revealing reactions to the attacks confirmed worsening insecurity, unimportance of lives in Nigeria, and the refusal of the authorities to ameliorate the situation.

    The most basic things befuddle us. Our sentimental attachment to tribe, tongue, and religion is relived through each tragedy which is a fractional replay of earlier mishaps.

    Why is the language of the attackers more important than government’s failure to tackle insecurity? Simple. Each witness to the crime that made that remark was alluding to the fact that nothing would be done. Or nothing can be done?

    An attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy only attracted the mumbling response of “one attack too many”. We were also reminded to keep off the subject as it was a military affair.

    Was it different when some armed bandits gunned down an Alpha jet in January 2021 in Zamfara State? The Nigerian Air Force’s official statement confirmed that the aircraft “came under intense enemy fire which led to its crash in Zamfara State. Luckily, the gallant pilot of the aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Abayomi Dairo, successfully ejected from the aircraft.”

    Energies that should have been deployed against the menace of terrorist attacks like Monday night’s have been dissipated in explaining to Nigerians that the attackers were bandits, not terrorists, were foreign Fulanis whose cattle were rustled, who climate change had pushed to attack others.

    When will the excuses be exhausted, when will the Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari halt the slide of the country to anarchy? Does the President notice the shrinking of safe spaces in Nigeria?

    Where is the urgency in making Nigeria safer? Do lives mean anything to the President? Has he given up on securing Nigeria? Is he waiting for the next attack? Even then what will he do apart from the situation being “saddening”.

    Are we waiting for what to happen before government acts decisively? The blames are not a solution.

    Our governments are meant to consider our security and welfare the primary purpose of government. Our Constitution to which they swore says so. Does the matter end with the ceremonies?

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai appears angry, shocked, or surprised at the attacks. Has he forgotten his announcements of payments he made to Fulani cattle owners for their rustled animals? Has he stopped defending their criminality? Has he come to a sudden realisation of the crimes he did nothing about except to promote the importance of appeasing criminals?

    The security agencies take instructions from above. Have they been instructed? What were they told? Why is their performance not deemed inadequate by those who appraise them?

    Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, minister of Transportation, was lost for words when he witnessed the mayhem. When he spoke he was talking losses of over N3 billion. The speed of the assessment of the costs of physical losses was impressive. How did he know what was lost at such short notice?

    So how much were the lost lives, the kidnapped, the injured worth? How would they even be important when we cannot be sure how many people were in the train? We cannot count people!

    How many are missing, killed, injured, or otherwise unaccounted for in this single incident?

    Our lives have long ceased to matter. The positions of the Minister accord the attacks and insecurity the type of narratives that point to no solution in sight.

    How would anyone think that patrolling the rail lines is the solution to the attacks in Kaduna State? Are the rails the only targets? We are supposed to be delighted at the smartness of suggesting an investment of N3.7 billion on securing the rails alone?

    When we stop caring about the language of criminals, who they are, where they are from, we would start being serious with protecting the lives of our people. Criminals must be treated the way they deserve. No efforts should be spared in telling criminals, wherever they are found, that they are criminals. The slap-on-the-wrist or pampering treatment of criminals is responsible for what we are witnessing in Kaduna State and most of the North West.

    Stories of these attacks, how they are decimating family, shredding communities, shrinking Nigeria rend the heart. What we get as assurance are the same trite statements that have become templates for responding to the consistent tragedies that dot Nigerian life.

    Whatever language criminals speak is unimportant. What matters is what language we speak to them. At the moment we are telling them crime is a rewarding enterprise in the North West.

    Kaduna State is outstanding in this respect.

    Finally…

    OUR tragedies during the week were more. Some consider not qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in football as one. I can only comment my reserve.

  • IGP says claims Kaduna is inaccessible by road, air, train untrue

    IGP says claims Kaduna is inaccessible by road, air, train untrue

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Alkali Usman, says the rumour making the rounds that Kaduna is inaccessible by road, air, or train is mere propaganda.

    The IGP stated this during his operational visit to the Abuja-Kaduna road on Saturday in Kaduna.

    He said the visit was to check the situation along the Abuja-Kaduna road.

    Usman noted that they have already made arrangements to secure the road.

    “My coming out today is to check the deployment we made to ensure the road is safe and also to check the deployment we have made at the scene of the train accident where repairs are taking place.

    “We have also deployed our men to assist the engineers in taking care of the situation and I want to assure the public that the propaganda going round that Kaduna is inaccessible by road, air or train is not true.

    “The road is safe for motorists and we will try our best to keep it safer.”

    He added that the visit was also to ensure that officers and men deployed to keep security on the road are performing their duties diligently.

    The IGP explained that they would work with available resources given to commands, however, he called for improvement.

    “Government is giving us the resources and in turn we are deploying them to our commands.

    Usman, responding to questions from journalists on the certainties that passengers would no longer patronize the train when restored, said “It is only a perception, the incident has happened and gone, that of course has informed us on measures to take in ensuring such a thing does not occur again”.

    He called on the troops to be diligent and dedicated in discharging their national duties.

     

  • Lagos-Kano train derails, killing driver in Kaduna

    Lagos-Kano train derails, killing driver in Kaduna

    The narrow gauge train travelling from Lagos to Kano derailed at Farin Ruwa, near Jaji in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing the train driver in the process.

    Malam Abdullahi Alhaji, Public Relations Officer, Northern Regional District of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC), Zaria, confirmed the incident in Zaria on Thursday.

    According to Alhaji, Bala Kawu, the driver of the train, died during the incident as the cargo train was conveying soft drinks to Kano.

    He said the incident happened as a result of vandalization of the slippers and other accessories of the rail track in the area.

    Alhaji said rescue efforts are currently ongoing to recover the remains of the deceased to salvage the situation for the train to continue its journey to Kano.

  • Train attack, barbaric act – Northern Govs

    Train attack, barbaric act – Northern Govs

    The Northern Governors’ Forum, has described the train attack conveying 970 passengers on Monday along Kaduna-Abuja route by terrorists, as ‘babaric and horrifying’.

    The forum in a statement by its chairman and governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, expressed sorrow and fury over the attack.

    The statement was conveyed by Lalong’s Director of Press and Public Affairs , Dr. Makut Macham, on Tuesday in Jos.

    The forum condemned the attack where terrorists reportedly use explosives to blow up Abuja-Kaduna rail track, leaving some passengers killed ,injured and kidnapped.

    “The entire Governors and people of the region as well as other Nigerians are distressed over the unfortunate attack on innocent commuters by terrorists, who have demonstrated total disregard for human lives and compassion.

    “The forum sympathises with the families of those killed as well as those kidnapped or injured.

    “It condemns the terrorist act in totality and commends the armed forces for their quick intervention which prevented further escalation of the incident.

    “The northern governors therefore encourage the security forces to intensify their search and rescue efforts in ensuring that those kidnapped are released without further delay and the fleeing terrorists are arrested and brought to justice.

    “The forum is working with the federal government and Gov.Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State, to ensure that this incident and other recent terrorist attacks on communities in the state are dealt with decisively,”.

    The forum also called on Nigerians to support security forces in their investigations and mandate of protecting lives and property through volunteering relevant information about criminal elements in the region and the country.

    It said that state governments in the region had made more investments in the security sector in collaboration with the federal government, to boost the capacity of security forces.

    The forum also appreciated the compassion demonstrated by Nigerians in the donation of blood to victims currently undergoing medical care in various health facilities.

  • BREAKING: 8 dead, 41 hospitalised in Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    BREAKING: 8 dead, 41 hospitalised in Abuja-Kaduna train attack

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says about eight persons have so far been confirmed dead and 41 hospitalised in the recent attack on the Kaduna bound train.

    Amaechi, who made the disclosure while inspecting the scene of the attack, described the situation as devastating.

    ”We dont have all the figures of missing persons, kidnapped and those injured at the moment.

    ”The numbers we have is that there are eight casualties. There are about 41 persons in different hospitals and the total number of passengers who got tickets are 398.

    ”So, we have have to wait on the security, the Kaduna State government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation.They are all trying to make contact with those on the manifest.

    ”There are few persons who are not on the manifest like the staff of the NRC, staff of the cleaning contractor, they are not on the manifest and we may not be able to completely account for them but those on the manifest, calls are being made to reach them,” Amaechi said.

    On the security sensors, the minister said its installation was delayed because of rigorous procurement process.

    ”The porcess is tedious, the approval is also tedious, we have not been able to get that approval that will lead to purchase of those items.

    ”If those items were here, drones alone will tell you that there are people around the rail tracks because there are drones, there are equipment that pick sensors if you touch the track.

    ”But unfortunately the process has not been able to get us that approval for us to import those items.

    ”So for me, I am devastated and I honestly don’t know what to tell Nigerians anymore.”

    The Minister said it was not enough having cameras inside the train, adding that a high tech camera that would detect objects from afar was necessary.

    ”The cameras in the train cannot pick what is happening outside. What you need is a camera that shows 100 metres away from the train, that there are unknown persons carrying gun.

    ”Then, we can take precaution, but we have done all we need to do in the ministry of transport and we have forwarded to them for approval but we have not gotten approval.

    ”The patrol vehicles are available but they cannot reach everywhere. For the areas the patrol can patrol, it will forestall.

    ”We are thinking about the possibility of employing natives until we get those equipment. We also need helicopters, beyond the drones, we need helicopters,” Amaechi added.

    The minister, who stated that the NRC may suspend the evening train, however, noted that stopping was not the solution but providing appropriate technology that would ensure security.

    ”The solution is not in running away from the militants or the bandits. The solution is providing the technology that lets you know that they are around.

    ”If it lets you know that they are around, there are two actions to take; either for the security men to go after them or you don’t ply within that period.

    ”But the agencies that need to give us approval have to give us the approval because we need to purchase those items.

    ”No matter the cost, you cannot equate it with the eight lives that were lost. The equipment were just N3billion and we are about to place order for the one in Lagos but we need to know what is happening on the track, it is everywhere in the world,” he said.

    On the perimetre fencing, Amaechi said some areas that have it were being demolished and it was not high enough to protect one from criminals, except for cows.

    The minister reiterated the importance of getting approval to purchase the neccesary equipment as human lives were involved.

    ”I had warned earlier that it is important they get us this approval because human lives would be involved. Since that warning till today, we have had two incidents.

    ”What kind of due process is that? When i say due porcess, it does not necessarily mean BPP but whatever agency it is, they need to get us approval so that we can get out of cabinet.

    ”Even if they get us approval, it will take some months to acquire them from overseas to install them. We need to do that to enable us see from Kaduna-Abuja, Itakpe-Warri and from Lagos-Ibadan. what is going on?

    ”So that we don’t continue to lose lives because lives are important. If we don’t do that, more persons will die.

    ”The cost was about N3billion and the damage here is more than N3billion. So, if we had gotten the approval, we would have saved the N3billion and saved lives,” Amaechi reiterated.

    The Chairman, NRC, Ibrahim Alhassan, said the attack was anticipated and measures were taken to avoid it.

    Alhassan said :” Two months back, we got information that some people were carrying out cognizance of the tracks.

    ”And the information was passed to the relevant authorities and I think some things were done and nothing happened.”

    He said it was unfortunate that the attack occurred, adding that the NRC was doing all that was neccessray to abate such reoccurrence.

    ”We would like to thank Nigerians, our passengers and people who patronise us, their families, we would like to offer our condolences, our concern and sympathies, we hope with God Almighty, this thing never repeats itself again.

    ”We are going to, on our part, take some measures.To do our own scheduling thing like that and i believe the government and security agencies will come to our assistance with more help and assistance. I believe we are going to over come this.

    ”It is not going to deter us, honestly, we are not going to give up because of this.

    ”The only thing we want is the cooperation of everybody especially people living along the corridor, when they see any suspicious activity, they should report such.

    ”I believe people should help us to help all of us,” Alhassan said.

    During the minister’s inspection, Gidan train station and the community around, were attacked by bandits.

    The train with the minister and his entourage heading to Abuja from the visit to the scene of Monday’s attack was made to stop for some minutes before proceeding on the trip.

    Security personnel were however, seen around the area after the staff of NRC was said to have fled the scene.

    This is the second attack within 24 hours along the same axis.