Abuja-Kaduna rail: | InsideOjodu

Buhari meets security chiefs over Abuja-Kaduna train attack

Alice Babalola — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:58:16 +0000

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.

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Kaduna-Abuja train attack: FG will fight, defeat bandit terrorists – Osinbajo

Alice Babalola — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:41:10 +0000

Following the recent banditry attack on a train along the Kaduna-Abuja route, the Federal Government on Tuesday assured that it will fight and defeat bandits and terrorists.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance while condemning attack on Tuesday while visiting some victims of the incident at a hospital in Kaduna.

Osinbajo expressed sadness over what he described as a terrorist attack on Nigerians.

Describing the bandits as cowards, Osinbajo said Nigeria would be secured.

In a tweet, the Vice President wrote: “I am saddened by another mindless terrorist attack on citizens.

“We must for our nation and their memories fight on and defeat the cowards who unleash terror on those not armed. They will not break our spirits and our resolve. We will prevail & our land will be secure.”

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Abuja-Kaduna rail: Presidency ‘silent’ on terrorists’ attack

Hafeestonova — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 09:45:28 +0000

The presidency was yet to issue an official statement condemning the attack.

No statement emanated via the social media accounts President Buhari and via the social media accounts of the special assistants to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina .

Terrorists on Monday night bombed the Abuja-Kaduna rail tracks and attacked a train filled with passengers.

Though the details on the attack are still sketchy, our correspondent gathered that operatives of the Nigerian Army rescued some victims.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation on Tuesday also announced the suspension of train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route indefinitely following the attacks.

The attack came a few days after the terrorists attacked the Kaduna International Airport where an aircraft was prevented from taking off.

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