THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has assured train passengers of safety and reiterated its commitment to secure rail lines nationwide.
The Police gave the assurance as Nigerians marked the first anniversary of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. The attack occurred on March 28, 2022, resulting in the death of about 14 passengers, with 63 others abducted and later released after several months.
The terrorists used an improvised explosive device to derail the train.
Also, on Saturday, January 8, gunmen attacked the Igueben train station in Edo State and abducted scores of passengers waiting to board a train to Warri, Delta State.
In a chat with The ICIR on Wednesday, March 29, spokesperson of the NPF, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Police is working with other security agencies to keep the rail lines safe.
“We are working with the NRC and other security agencies to fortify the rail lines across the country.
“A directive has been sent to the CP Police Railway Command to step up the strategies to curtail attacks on trains. We are also working with our intelligence, FIB and intelligence community to be more proactive.”
Adejobi urged communities along the rail lines to work with the security agencies to protect the facilities.
“We can collectively decimate the criminals who attack the trains and kidnap innocent passengers. So, we will harness all available means to protect our national assets,” Adejobi said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said the Federal Government will put in place comprehensive, all-encompassing security strategies to guarantee the safety of travellers, employees and assets along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor and other rail corridors in the nation.
The minister added that one of the tactics to be used is 24/7 online real-time monitoring of the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.
He spoke at a meeting with members of the Nigerian Union of Railway Employees in Abuja on February 10, 2023.
A reporter with the ICIR
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