President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with security chiefs following the terrorist attack on Abuja-Kaduna bound train by bandits on Monday night.
Recall that the train was conveying about 950 passengers from Abuja to Kaduna at about 7.45pm when the attack happened.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya had on Tuesday visited the scene of the attack, where he ordered troops to intensify search and rescue operations as well as hunt down the terrorists.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo also visited hospitals in Kaduna on Tuesday where injured victims are being treated.
But President Buhari, as part of his reaction to the incident, is meeting all the service chiefs, including the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi.
During the meeting, Buhari received briefs from the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Faruk Yahaya, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao.
Following the briefs, Buhari directed the immediate conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution.
The solution, he said, would be for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line, and also to be extended to cover the Lagos-Ibadan railway line.
Buhari also directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation management to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay, according to a statement on Tuesday by Buhari spokesman, Garba Shehu, which contained outcomes of the meeting.
According to the statement, Buhari reiterated his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists. He asked them to be more decisive and not spare anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.
“No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom,” said the President.
Buhari strongly condemned the bombing of the passenger train, describing it as a “matter of grave concern.”
“like most Nigerians, I am deeply pained by its occurrence, the second of its type, which has resulted in the death of a yet to be determined number of passengers and others who suffered injuries.
“The attack on the train, a safe means of transport to many, is callous; and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured,” he said.
The Kaduna-bound train, which left Abuja 6pm on Monday, was attacked by suspected terrorists around 7.45 pm, with just 15 minutes drive to Kaduna.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Samuel Aruwan, on Tuesday, said the train had been secured by military personnel, and that government had evacuated passengers on board.
He said the staff of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) and Nigeria Red Cross, Kaduna chapter, conducted the evacuation.