News

Insecurity: NRC suspends Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ajaokuta train services

The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) on Wednesday said it has suspended the train services on the Lagos, Abuja, and Ajaokuta routes over safety concerns.

Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the NRC who confirmed the development informed that the decision followed a report of an attempted kidnapping of passengers that left the Ajaokuta Station by road on their way to Abuja.

He explained that the passengers and their vehicles were shot at in the process but he said they escaped from the attackers.

Okhiria added that the passengers have been advised to use any of the adjacent stations in Itakpe (north) or Itogbo (south) until the security situation in the area improves.

The NRC boss said the Warri-Itakppe train service is still on as the train left Warri this morning on its way to Itakpe.

“Similarly, in compliance with the Honourable Minister’s directive, the Abuja to Kaduna passenger train service remains suspended until all the passengers held hostage as a result of the train attack by the bandits are completely released to their relations and the additional security system is put in place to avoid reoccurrence,” the NRC said in another statement issued by the corporation.

“In addition, the Lagos to Kano Express passenger train will not resume operation following suspected bandits’ presence along the Minna to Kaduna rail corridor in the North Western district of the Corporation.”

The statement came just hours after five more kidnapped passengers of the ill-fated Kaduna-Abuja train were released by their abductors.

With the recently freed victims, the number of released passengers has now increased to 37. As of now, 35 persons are still in captivity.

It is, however unclear if any ransom was paid for the recently released persons.

admin

Recent Posts

Oyo: Oseni to Launch Mobile Clinic Initiative to Revitalize Rural Healthcare

A member representing Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency of Oyo State at the House of Representatives,…

2 days ago

Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations

House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency…

6 days ago

Rep Oseni Rallies Support for Ikogosi Development Projects, Calls for Resilience, Unity

The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and representative…

1 week ago

Bad Roads: ‘Focus on Message, Not Messenger’ – Nigerians Tell Works Minister, Umahi

The Nigerian Minister of Works, David Umahi, has ignited widespread public reaction following his response…

2 weeks ago

Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61

  Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House…

2 weeks ago

Oseni Donates N10m to Support Ibadan’s Mogaji Ile Eke Project

The Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni has made…

3 weeks ago