By In a rather surprising move, the Federal Government has announced that the Abuja-Kaduna train service will resume operations on May 23.
It would be recalled that train operations were suspended on the route after an attack on the train by suspended terrorists on March 28.
Of the 362 passengers on board, 186 were declared safe by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), with nine deaths and many others kidnapped.
Many Nigerians, including relatives of the abducted passengers, have since called on the authorities to ditch the plans of resuming train operations on the ill-fated route until the victims regain freedom.
However, in a statement on Monday, the NRC spokesperson, Yakubu Mahmood announced that train services will resume, amid ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of those abducted.
He said, “The government wishes to assure the relatives of the abducted citizens still in captivity that the safe rescue of these passengers is a top priority and not to misconstrue the resumption of train services, like abandonment or nonchalant attitude of the government towards their plight.
“The federal government will never abdicate its responsibility in rescuing these valuable citizens, however, the government assures of its resolve not to succumb to threats by any faceless group.”
The statement added that “additional security measures are being put in place at both the train stations and the track to ensure the safety of the passengers onboard.”
