FG to begin repair works on Abuja-Kaduna rail line

The federal government on Wednesday disclosed that repair works on the damaged portion of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line will commence immediately.

It is also considering recruiting locals for security at blackspot areas.

Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, who disclosed this in Kaduna during a visit to victims of the attack on a Kaduna-bound train by gunmen, also said following the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to fix the rail and make it usable, the ministry has set modalities in place to commence work immediately.

Amaechi further disclosed that the Federal Government is  working out plans to engage locals in the communities where the bandits operate along the rail.

He said the office of the National Security Adviser will be consulted to ensure that those that will be recruited for the service are people of integrity.

The hospitals he visited include the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna where 25 victims were said to have been admitted.

According to the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, out of the total number admitted, only seven people were remaining at the time of the visit.

At the St. Gerrard Catholic Hospital, eleven victims were admitted, out of which ten have been discharged, and one female currently receiving treatment.

One of the victims was said to have been brought dead according to the hospital management.