By Seyi Babalola
Just as concerted efforts continue to secure the release of all abducted passengers, the Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS) will resume next Monday, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said.
The resumption follows the Federal Government’s directive.
This is even as there are indications that the Corporation has put night travels on hold, just as the service would resume with four shuttle trains.
Sunrise News recalled that night train on the Kaduna bound AKTS train AK9 was attacked by terrorists on March 27, 2022.
The Deputy Director Public Relations of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Mallam Yakubu Mahmood who disclosed this yesterday, said the resumption must not be misconstrued for the abandonment of rescue efforts of abducted passengers still in the hostage of the terrorists.
He described the release of the abducted passengers as the government’s top priority, though these efforts are not in public domain.
He said: “People should not misconstrue the resumption of train services, as abandonment or nonchalant attitude of the government towards their plight as the safe rescue of these passengers remains a top priority.”
He however said the government will not succumb to threats by any faceless group regarding the fate of the abducted victims.
He said in response to the growing insecurity, the government would be announcing additional security measures at both the train stations and the tracks to ensure the safety of passengers on board, adding that these measures are not only for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS), but also for all the passenger train services especially on the standard gauge railway lines.
The Abuja-Kaduna train schedule released by the corporation showed that AK3 train will depart Idu (Abuja) 9:50am arrive Kaduna 12:01; while the AK4 will depart Rigasa (Kaduna), at 10:35 am to arrive Idu (Abuja) 12:58, while AK7 will leave 14:20 to arrive 16:37, while the AK6 will depart Rigasa 14:00 to arrive Idu (Abuja) 16:11.
The corporation urged passengers to cooperate with the NRC in the measures that will be introduced to assure their safety.
Some of these measures are presentation of their National Identification Numbers (NIN), Valid Photo Identification Card (ID), reachable telephone number of Next of Kin (NOK) or close relative, all of which he described as part of “our internal security that must be strictly complied with before boarding the train.
He said online and offline purchase of tickets must contain the passengers’ individual profile or identification data.
“The NRC management appeals to our valued customers for understanding and invites them to effortlessly cooperate with our staff at the various train stations.
“We further appreciate complying with these simple security measures while passengers must desist from obtaining tickets through unauthorized (racketeer) sources,” the statement added.