The Federal Government has stated that the Abuja-Kaduna rail lines will not reopen until bandits free those held captive.
Fidet Okhiria, the managing director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, disclosed to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday that four railway employees were among those still being held hostage.
He mentioned that while the corporation had fixed the track and restored the damaged rolling stock, train service could not resume until the remaining hostages were safely released.
“To ensure maximum security for train passengers and facilities during operation, the government has established a committee.The Federal Government will not permit the train station to operate until appropriate security measures are implemented.
The fight to free those who are still in captivity is being led by the minister of transportation.We could not move with force to prevent any deaths.We’re talking about the technology of today so that we can monitor things in real time and put a lot of security agencies in strategic places.
We have made numerous information-seeking trips to the IG and ministry, and we are collaborating to ensure the safety of all Nigerians, not just rail passengers.We double-check our manifest to make sure their names are included whenever someone is released, and we report the situation to the appropriate authority.
In addition, Okhiria stated that the Nigerian Railway Corporation had lost N531 million due to the suspension of the Abuja-Kaduna train service within five months. He noted that this amount represented the amount that could have been made through ticket sales for the standard gauge passenger train, which was attacked by terrorists approximately six months prior.
“The Abuja-Kaduna train has not resumed operation since terrorists attacked it on March 28, killing eight people and abducting 62 passengers.Between the train attack on March 28 and August, when expected ticket sales on the suspended Abuja-Kaduna Train Service occurred, we lost N531 million.
The head of the NRC stated that the standard gauge train between Lagos and Ibadan made four trips daily, just like the other regular train service, such as the Warri-Itakpe line.