In order to stop any type of terrorist attack, the federal government has stationed security personnel at train stations and bushes along the rail line between Abuja and Kaduna.
The security measures were put in place by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to thwart an alleged plot to attack trains traveling the route.
Recall that on March 28, 2022, terrorists attacked a train traveling from Abuja to Kaduna in Katari Village, Kaduna State, kidnapping numerous passengers in the process. The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) was forced to temporarily halt operations due to this incident.
In a letter that was leaked and bears R.N’s signature, DSS Director of FCT Command Adepemu, titled “Security Alert: Impending Threat By A Coalition Of Banditry Syndicate To Attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Along AKTS Corridor,” the DSS cautioned train passengers to be extra cautious regarding the impending attack.
The DSS warned of an “impending threat to seamless train transportation along the Abuja – Kaduna Train Service (AKTS),” adding that a coalition of banditry syndicates was preparing to attack the Abuja-Kaduna train with the intention of kidnapping passengers on board for ransom at any moment.
An NRC top official reportedly told The Nation that there will now be at least 15 riot police officers on board each train. In addition, each coach has a Thuraya phone and a closed-circuit camera.
The representative clarified that the security precautions were consistent with the letter that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the DSS had sent to the NRC.
“Soldiers have already been deployed in the forests,” the NRC official declared after speaking with the security team today. Men from the Army and Air Force are among those who have been sent into battle.
“I can vouch for that because some of the staff who were on the train’s escort operation from Abuja to Kaduna saw some of the soldiers in every station and even in the bushes.
According to the information I have, the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff gave the order to thoroughly search the bushes in Rigasa, Jere, and Asham to weed out the undesirable elements.
“The number of security personnel on the train hasn’t gone up, but every journey from Abuja to Kaduna, at least 15 Mobile Police Officers join it, and they’re all fully armed.
“Additionally, we have security cameras that are monitored from the Idu Station installed on each of the locomotives. So that they can see what is happening inside and outside the train, the operators.
“The stations also have Thuraya phones, and the NRC headquarters in Lagos as well as the Force Headquarters in Abuja can monitor calls made on those phones.
“So, to the best of my knowledge, these precautions have been taken, along with some others that I won’t mention, to thwart the attack. What happened in March of last year won’t happen again. “.
