The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) announced the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna train service.
NRC in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mr. Yakub Mahmoud, said the service will resume on Monday, May 23rd, 2022, about two months after terrorists attacked and bombed the train and its facilities, killing eight passengers and kidnapping numerous more.
NRC also disclosed that the service will return with greater security measures and without the early morning and the night train operations.
The statement, however, informed the relatives of the kidnapped individuals remaining in captivity that the safe recovery of these passengers is a major priority and that the restoration of railway services should not be interpreted as the government’s indifference to their plight.
It stated that the federal government will never abdicate its role in rescuing these precious persons and vowed not to give in to threats from anonymous organizations.
It further said additional security measures are being put in place at both the train stations and the track to ensure the safety of the passengers on board. And explained that the additional security measures are not only for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) but also for all passenger-train services, especially on the standard gauge railway lines.
“The passengers are enjoined to cooperate with the NRC to enjoy improved service delivery, safety, and comfort by patiently complying with additional measures that will surely be introduced for the safety of our passengers, such as requesting for passengers’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) as part of our internal security check. In addition, presentation of the following must be strictly complied with before boarding the train,” it said.
Other requirements include a Valid Photo Identification Card (ID), and a reachable telephone number of a Next of Kin (NOK) or close relative.
However online and offline purchases of tickets must contain the passengers’ profile or identification data” as part of additional security measures.
