The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered immediate deployment of armed personnel for the commencement of railway services along Abuja/Kaduna rail lines on Monday 5th December, 2022.
This was contained in a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Sunday 4th December 2022.
The Units are drawn from the Police Mobile Force, K-9, Force Intelligence Bureau, Explosive Ordnance Unit and Railway Police Command .
The Nigeria Police Force said it has been in regular talks with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other security agencies in preparation for the commencement of operations.
The deployment covers major railway stations along the route and operational coaches to provide adequate security for passengers, their property and the entire service in order to prevent any unforseen incidence.
The IGP therefore assured the general public, especially intending passengers, of adequate protection of lives and property, as all hands are on deck to fortify the railway services along the route and other rail lines across the country.
Recall that passengers aboard the Kaduna Abuja train were attacked and kidnapped by terrorist.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, had disclosed that the Abuja-Kaduna train service which was halted due to the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack would be reopened for patronage by the general public this November.
Similarly, Sambo had described the Nigerian Railway Corporation as a bedrock of social economic development which has influenced many lives.
The Minister who commended the support of stakeholders in the Transportation Sector said he wished that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had come earlier to help Kickstart the Railway modernization programme.
Sambo added that the Nigerian Railway Corporation has a rich history of unifying the people and impacting so many lives.
“The Abuja-Kaduna mishap was a very sad one and by the grace of God, we shall not witness such again. Not only because we have committed it to prayer but deliberate steps have been taken, lessons have been learned and these lessons would be put to use. What are these lessons: safety and security, surveillance, security 24/7, 7 days a week, 12 months a year, all round the clock”, Mu’azu assured
Speaking on the Nigerian Rail Modernization Plan, the Minister said that Warri – Itakpe rail line was not meant to terminate at Itakpe but Abuja but it was discovered that the concessionaire that was to handle it lacked capacity after approval had been facilitated from the Federal Executive Council, FEC. He, however assured that the Ministry is currently putting together a presentation to the FEC on the execution of the corridor on the basis of “Engineering, Procurement, Construction plus Finance plan,” adding that under the railway modernization plan all state capitals across the country will be linked by railway.
According to the Minister other achievements include: the completed Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge rail line, Warri-Itakpe rail lines with Assembly Plant at Kajola in Ogun State.
