Tight Security As Abuja-Kaduna Train Resumes Operations

 A train service linking Nigeria’s capital Abuja with the northern city of Kaduna has resumed operations eight months after it was suspended following one of the country’s most high-profile abduction incidents.

At around 7:30 on 28 March 2022, hundreds of passengers travelling northwards on their way to Nigeria northwest were kidnapped in Katari, Kaduna State, Nigeria, while others were killed and injured by the bandits who bombed an Abuja-Kaduna train.

Approximately 970 passengers were on board, and several were abducted into the bush by the bandits who arrived on motorbikes holding firearms and other deadly weapons, according to a passenger who escaped the onslaught.

The abducted passengers were released in batches following negotiations with their captors who were believed to have collected huge ransom from their family.

According to AFP news Agency, the train departed Abuja around 10am for two-hour journey to Kaduna.

Passengers were few – only occupying one-third of the train’s capacity – but excited that the service was back after eight months.

Many of the passengers who boarded the first train expressed happiness over the development, saying they had long awaited alternative means of transportation because of the bad road.

Also, there was a high number of security presence to ensure smooth operations and to also avert security breach and as well, instill confidence in the hearts of the travellers.

However, some of the passengers complained bitterly of their inability to log in their National Identification Number, NIN to access tickets.

When asked about the number of passengers who boarded the train and some of the complaints raised, the Station Manager said the figure was yet to be harmonized by the officials and declined further comments.

It can be recalled that the Nigerian government had issued a directive to the Nigerian Railway Corporation through the Ministry of Transportation to resume train service today, 5th December, 2022.

The train will, in the meantime, operate twice from Kaduna to Abuja with the first trip taking off at 8:00am and the second trip by 2:00pm.