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NRC Ignored Warnings On Planned Attack On Abuja-Kaduna Train

Published

4 years ago

April 4, 2022

Fresh facts in the aftermath of last Monday’s fatal attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service have shed more light on the failure of officials at different levels to forestall the planned onslaught, which was seen coming months ahead.

Official correspondences and security reports seen by our reporter reveal how the plot was uncovered following intelligence intercepts leading to the issuance of alerts to different responsible agencies.

Senior security officials are blaming officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for refusing to abide by the advice to restrict train movements to daytime hours.

The latest details corroborate the Daily Trust exclusive story published last Thursday, which indicated that the bombing of the passenger train came after repeated warnings by the intelligence service about the movement of bandits with a mission to attack the train service and other facilities.

The attack on the train, which had on board over 300 passengers was the most devastating coming after at least three previous less successful attempts on the service.

At least nine corpses were recovered from the scene of the attack on Tuesday while some 26 others sustained injuries. A yet-to-be-determined number of passengers were also abducted by the kidnappers.

Two strands of the security warnings focus on directives for military formations in the area to respond to the threat and for the NRC to suspend night trips along the route. The Nigeria Police, which is in charge of internal security has a command responsible for the railways and usually deploys armed policemen on the train to ensure security.

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But like many states bedeviled by ongoing security challenges, Kaduna State has detachments from the military under different tags taking over security duties in the state.

However, documents seen by Daily Trust and information from informed sources show that three different advisories and a similar warning at least two meetings for the suspension of the evening train shuttle were not heeded by the railway management.

Also, military formations in the area failed to take action to scuttle the impending attack.

Military high commands had issued a clear directive for troops to clear criminals’ hideouts and other enclaves that could be used ahead of the attack.

Long in coming

In the aftermath of a near-fatal attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on October 20, last year, which led to the derailing of the train and suspension of the service, the security situation was appraised leading to the issuance of an advisory for the NRC to suspend the evening shuttle.

In a letter dated November 2, 2022, addressed to the manager of the Rigasa Station of the Nigerian Railway, the Kaduna State government drew attention to a “Thorough review of train operations” conducted.

“Following this review and an assessment of the general security situation, the Kaduna State government hereby advises that trains operate during the daytime only. All arrivals after dark, to Kaduna or Abuja, should be avoided completely,” the letter reads in part.

The government advisory further emphasised the “Urgent rescheduling of train services and the cancellation of all train services, which arrive at their destinations later than 6pm”.

The idea, according to a senior security officer, was to deny the criminals the opportunity of hiding under the cover of the night to plant explosive devices or deploy their men.

With the train shuttles continued in spite of the security advisory, the state government wrote another letter to the railway reminding the management of the threat to the evening service.

“Current developments indicate that the concerns over threats to train services, which prompted this advisory continue to exist,” the follow up letter signed by Kaduna’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan states. The second letter was dated January 27, 2022.

Daily Trust gathered that just before the second letter on the request to suspend the evening train shuttle, there was an intelligence report from the Defence Headquarters, which succinctly points to a plan to launch simultaneous attacks on the train service and other critical facilities.

The military signal revealed that bandits had conducted an “Assessment mission on the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor with a view to launching attacks on trains” and the railway infrastructure.

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The intelligence indicated that the bandits were “Mobilising members and finalising plans for the attacks”.

Following the intelligence from the Defence Headquarters and a meeting of the Kaduna State Security Council, Daily Trust learnt that a meeting was convoked at the headquarters of the Army’s 1 Division in Kaduna with all stakeholders to review the situation.

The meeting held on February 9, agreed to suspend the 6pm train service pending improvement of the situation.

“I remember the commissioner of security was even threatening to address the press after the meeting to tell the world the recommendation of the services since the railway authorities were unwilling to comply with all the advisories. Some of us advised against that to avoid causing panic,” a source who was part of the meeting said in confidence.

Twenty five days before the attack, an intelligence report dated March 3, 2022, titled “Plans to Simultaneously Attack Rigasa Train Station, Other Critical Infrastructure and Security Forces” also drew attention to the impending attack.

“Intercepts and human intelligence sources around Kaduna-Niger interstate boundaries, have confirmed plans by terrorists to attack the Rigasa Train Station, and other critical infrastructure, simultaneously,” it reads in part.

“The intelligence also revealed plans to attack security force units, especially on the Kaduna-Abuja Road general area, imminently.

“The security forces targeted for attack are mainly troops deployed at Rijana in Kachia LGA and personnel carrying out aggressive fighting patrols on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, spanning Chikun, Kachia and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna State.”

The report recommended that “The management of the Rigasa Train Station should be persuaded by the Kaduna State government to suspend operations, which extend into night time and promptly upgrade the immediate security structure of the terminal”.

Ignored intelligence

Findings by Daily Trust indicate that those who were in positions to act did not take the warnings seriously as the railway service refused to act on the multiple warnings.

It was also unlikely, sources say, if the directive from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Leo Irabor, for sweeping operations to counter the planned attack was duly complied with.

In the January signal from the Defence Headquarters, the CDS directed the leadership of Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS) and Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP) to “Urgently emplace measures to thwart the planned attacks along the railway corridors”. The two commands are active military operations operating between Kaduna and Niger States.

Specifically, the military high commands directed the two theatre commands to “Piquet vulnerable points along the railway corridor as well as identify and destroy all suspected bandits’ bases along the axis”.

In the March 3 intelligence briefing, it was reported that “Virtually all the villages at the far end of Rigasa Train Station – covering about 40 to 50 kilometers radius – and other villages around Buruku general area in Chikun LGA have been deserted.

“It is the same situation in Kabrasha general area of Chikun LGA (linking with Kusaso areas of Niger State) and in Kabula Hills of Mangoro area, which shares contiguous boundaries with Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.”

This situation, according to senior security sources, made the general area under the “full control” of the bandits and also presented an opportunity for a more vigorous military operation.

While there are doubts in some quarters if the security forces had taken adequate steps to thwart the attack, as directed, a security source in Kaduna said clearance operations had always been carried out saying the bandits who carried out the train attack moved there for the purpose. He said the spot where the attack happened was also, specially selected as it would be hard to reach for any rescue mission.

Also, a senior military officer had told Daily Trust that security agents had been on alert following reports from intercepted communication pointing to the possible attack but added that it was impossible to deploy troops permanently without specific knowledge of when the attackers will deploy. “They will get tired and demoralized,” he said.

“The early arrival of the troops on that day was because there was some level of alertness in view of the information at hand. It could have been worse”.

He said the many areas in Kaduna, especially around Rijana and Kasarami are infested with regrouping Boko Haram elements, accusing residents of not providing helpful information to aid the work of security agents.

Speaking to Daily Trust last week, the Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, admitted that the NRC was written to stop the evening train, denying receiving any latest warning.

“They wrote to us that they suspected that they wanted to attack the train but that was in December/January. But we looked at it and said if there is something like that, they should find a solution to it and stopping the train is not the solution.

“And we don’t run night train. The last train leaves in the evening. We believe if we stop the running of trains, it means the terrorists have won.”

Poor response to intelligence worrisome – Expert

A security and intelligence expert, Umar Yakubu, bemoaned poor response to intelligence, describing it as worrisome an inimical to success in the fight against insecurity.

Yakubu, who heads a think tank, Counter Fraud Center, said “no war can be won without credible intelligence. The intelligence agencies seem to be gathering a lot of actionable intelligence but the issue of poor response is worrisome.”

“Strategic units need to be well positioned to effectively act on credible intelligence. The governor (of Kaduna state) and Daily Trust had reported that information was relayed to concerned authorities about the attack but somehow, maybe due to bureaucracy, action was not taken. The Joint Intelligence Board needs to create a more efficient layer where tactical operations can be swiftly executed without delay.”

Yakubu advised on deployment of technology to more effectively secure the rail line.

“The Kaduna – Abuja route is about 200 kilometres. There are so many ungoverned spaces that law enforcement would find difficult to reach. Luckily, most of the terrorists move within the bush using motorcycles. The most efficient way is to utilise unmanned aerial vehicles to easily spot them and neutralise any threat. It is cheaper, more efficient and effective and also minimises collateral damage.

“The same technology is need across all hot spots. We should not be endangering the lives of troops by making them patrol dangerous areas when you can get intelligence in a more efficient manner.”

DAILY TRUST

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Tinubu Targets Lower Transport Fares From October 1 as CNG Programme Expands

Published

10 minutes ago

September 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Tinubu Targets Lower Transport Fares From October 1 as CNG Programme Expands

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the 36 state governments to accelerate the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme, with the Federal Government targeting measurable reductions in transportation fares from October 1, 2026.

Tinubu disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, September 19, saying the target followed his August 27 meeting with the governors, where they agreed that more Nigerians should begin to experience lower transportation costs from October.

An implementation committee was subsequently established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and chaired by Kwara State Governor and NGF Chairman, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to coordinate the rollout.

The committee is working with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), state governments and other stakeholders to identify priority transport corridors, determine appropriate interventions and put the necessary arrangements in place.

The President said the push had become more urgent because of renewed disruptions to global energy supplies, which are putting pressure on petrol and diesel prices and increasing transportation costs.

According to Tinubu, Nigeria cannot control developments in global energy markets but can reduce its exposure to such shocks by making greater use of its abundant natural gas resources.

He said the Federal Government had spent the past three years developing a CNG transportation ecosystem, with more than 120,000 vehicles converted to CNG, over 400 certified conversion centres and more than 90 CNG refuelling stations currently available across the country.

The Presidential Initiative says more than 7,700 technicians have also been trained as part of the effort to expand vehicle conversion capacity and support the growing CNG network.

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Tinubu said the government would continue expanding CNG infrastructure and conversion capacity while encouraging state governments, transport unions, vehicle manufacturers, commercial operators and private investors to participate in the programme.

The President also cited existing deployments in different parts of the country as evidence of how alternative-energy transportation can reduce commuting costs.

In Borno State, he said CNG-powered and electric public transport services carry commuters for between ₦50 and ₦100 on routes where commercial operators charge between ₦300 and ₦600.

In Kaduna State, Tinubu said 100 CNG-powered buses provide free transportation on major routes and carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year, saving commuters more than ₦3.5 billion in transport costs.

In Oyo State, he said the deployment of CNG buses to Pacesetter Transport reduced the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about ₦8,000 to ₦3,200 during the initial deployment.

The President also cited Adamawa State, where alternative-energy transport services had reduced fares by as much as 50 per cent, from ₦8,000 to ₦4,000.

In Enugu State, the deployment of 100 CNG buses reduced the Enugu-Nsukka fare from ₦2,500 to ₦1,500, according to Tinubu.

In Plateau State, government-supported buses reportedly carry about 13,000 commuters daily at ₦200, compared with commercial fares of more than ₦500.

Through a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the President said passengers using CNG-converted commercial vehicles on several Abuja routes were benefiting from fare reductions of about 40 per cent.

He said the fare on the Area 1-Gwagwalada route had fallen from ₦1,500 to ₦900, while Nyanya dropped from ₦700 to ₦420 and Wuse from ₦400 to ₦240.

On the Suleja-Abuja route in Niger State, Tinubu said passengers were paying about ₦550 compared with approximately ₦800 previously.

In Abia State, he said 40 electric buses had been deployed with fares subsidised by 50 per cent.

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Tinubu said the examples showed that cheaper energy could translate into lower transport costs when the savings were passed on to commuters.

However, the October 1 target is not structured as a single uniform fare applicable to every route across Nigeria.

The Pi-CNG & EV has said implementation will proceed through state-by-state engagement, with individual states expected to identify their busiest transport corridors and determine the infrastructure and interventions required.

At a stakeholder meeting on September 10, several states reported progress on CNG and electric-mobility projects.

Niger State, for instance, had procured 200 CNG buses, with 35 already operational, alongside 11 electric-vehicle charging stations.

Abia State had deployed 40 electric buses and 20 charging stations and planned to increase its fleet to 100 buses by December.

Ogun State had acquired 1,500 electric motorcycles and more than 20 battery-swap stations, while Cross River State had deployed 720 electric vehicles, including buses and motorcycles.

Delta State reported 13 operational vehicle-conversion centres and four CNG stations, with 50 CNG buses expected to join its transport system.

Adamawa State had signed an agreement for 2,000 electric tricycles, while Anambra State had identified six priority transport corridors and was preparing to train 1,000 young people in vehicle conversion.

Benue State had also trained technicians and established a conversion centre.

The states are expected to establish implementation teams covering transport, energy and related sectors and work directly with the Pi-CNG & EV on the rollout.

They have also been asked to identify priority interventions that can realistically be delivered around the October 1 target.

The programme is expected to rely heavily on private-sector participation, with state investment promotion agencies working towards a common framework for attracting investment into CNG and electric-vehicle infrastructure.

Despite the progress reported by the government, implementation has also generated questions from transport stakeholders.

Transport unions previously complained that they had not been adequately consulted and said they were yet to receive clear implementation guidelines for the proposed fare reductions.

The Pi-CNG & EV subsequently clarified that the programme would be implemented progressively and on a state-by-state basis rather than through a blanket nationwide directive.

This means the actual reduction experienced by commuters from October 1 is likely to depend on the availability of CNG buses and converted vehicles, refuelling infrastructure, state subsidies, fleet deployment and agreements with transport operators.

Tinubu has therefore urged governors to work closely with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversion and fleet deployment, and facilitate the infrastructure required to make the programme effective.

He also directed the states to ensure that savings generated from cheaper energy are reflected in the fares paid by passengers.

The President further rejected calls for a return to the petrol subsidy regime, arguing that the government should instead accelerate the development of alternative energy sources and reduce Nigeria’s exposure to international energy-price movements.

With October 1 approaching, the Federal Government’s focus is now on converting the existing CNG and electric-mobility investments into tangible savings for commuters.

For passengers, the effectiveness of the programme will ultimately be measured by whether the expansion of CNG transportation results in lower fares on the routes they use daily.

Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue to support the expansion of CNG infrastructure, conversion capacity and access while creating an enabling environment for states, transport operators, manufacturers and private investors to participate.

The President said Nigeria had the gas resources and was building the infrastructure needed to expand cheaper transportation options, but urged the states to move faster so that more Nigerians could begin to benefit from lower fares.

Tinubu Targets Lower Transport Fares From October 1 as CNG Programme Expands

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Stray Bullet Kills 400-Level IBBU Student During Land Dispute in Niger

Published

17 minutes ago

September 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Stray Bullet Kills 400-Level IBBU Student During Land Dispute in Niger

A 400-level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBU), Isma’il Ishaq Magaji, has been killed by a stray bullet during a land dispute in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Magaji, a student of the Department of Public Administration, reportedly died on Thursday after he was struck by a bullet amid gunfire linked to the dispute in the community.

The university confirmed his death in a statement issued by its Deputy Registrar, Information, Baba Akote, on Saturday.

According to the university, the student was caught in the incident when the dispute over land escalated and gunfire broke out in Wawa.

Magaji’s death has thrown the IBBU community into mourning, particularly as he was a 400-level student who was reportedly approaching the completion of his undergraduate studies.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Mohammed Sulaiman, expressed condolences to Magaji’s family, classmates, friends and associates.

Sulaiman described the incident as a painful loss to the university community and prayed for strength for the deceased student’s family and the repose of his soul.

The Vice-Chancellor also appealed to the communities involved in the land dispute to embrace dialogue, restraint and peaceful coexistence, warning against actions that could lead to further loss of lives.

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Details surrounding the shooting remain limited, but earlier accounts indicated that gunfire erupted in Wawa after the land disagreement reportedly escalated.

There were also reports that security personnel were operating in the area when the shooting occurred and that Magaji was hit by a bullet during the incident.

However, the circumstances surrounding the source of the fatal bullet have not been fully established publicly.

While some earlier accounts linked the shooting to a military operation reportedly responding to the dispute, there was no immediate public confirmation from the Nigerian Army identifying the personnel involved or accepting responsibility for the bullet that killed the student.

The latest confirmation from IBBU establishes that Magaji was killed by a stray bullet during the land dispute but does not identify who fired the shot.

Magaji was reportedly in Wawa after returning from the university when the incident occurred.

A coursemate, Yahaya Gambo Lawal, described him as a calm, friendly and accommodating person whose death had shocked his colleagues.

Lawal said the student was a promising member of the university community and expressed sadness that he would not be able to complete his studies.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about the danger posed to civilians when land disputes escalate into armed confrontations.

Beyond the immediate loss of life, such incidents can expose residents who are not directly involved in disputes to potentially fatal violence.

The university has therefore called for peaceful resolution of the dispute and restraint among the parties involved.

The circumstances that led to the shooting, including the identities of those involved, the source of the bullet and whether any formal investigation has commenced, remain to be clarified.

For the IBBU community, Magaji’s death represents the loss of a student who was reportedly close to completing his university education.

His death has also left his family, classmates and friends mourning as calls continue for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the Wawa land dispute to prevent further violence.

Stray Bullet Kills 400-Level IBBU Student During Land Dispute in Niger

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Oyo Police: Student Who Died by Suicide Was Charged With Assault, Not ₦8,000 Debt

Published

32 minutes ago

September 19, 2026

Trends Admin

The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Olugbenga.

Oyo Police: Student Who Died by Suicide Was Charged With Assault, Not ₦8,000 Debt

The Oyo State Police Command has denied that it arrested and prosecuted 30-year-old student Al-Amin Mohammed over an outstanding ₦8,000 debt, saying he was instead charged with assault and malicious damage following a dispute with a female Point-of-Sale (POS) operator.

The clarification followed reports about Mohammed’s detention and subsequent death by suicide three days after his release from the Agodi Correctional Centre, Ibadan.

Mohammed died on September 17, 2026, three days after he was released from custody. His family had alleged that he was arrested and taken to court following a dispute over an ₦8,000 balance owed to a POS operator and that the experience left him distressed.

However, the police described the claim that Mohammed was arrested and charged because of the ₦8,000 debt as false, unfounded and misleading.

According to the Command, Mohammed initially approached the POS operator to collect ₦23,000 in cash, with the understanding that he would transfer the same amount to her through a POS transaction.

The police said the operator handed him the money, but he allegedly left without completing the transfer or returning the cash.

After efforts to recover the money, Mohammed reportedly returned ₦15,000, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦8,000.

The police said the POS operator subsequently took possession of Mohammed’s mobile phone pending repayment of the balance.

The dispute later escalated, according to the Command, when Mohammed allegedly went to the complainant’s residence at about 10pm on September 8, 2026.

The police alleged that he assaulted the woman and, during the confrontation, damaged her Airtel SIM registration machine, which was valued at ₦177,000.

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Members of the community reportedly intervened in an attempt to settle the dispute, but the effort failed. Mohammed was subsequently handed over to vigilantes, who brought him and the complainant to the police station.

The Command said officers heard both sides and made a further attempt to resolve the matter amicably, but the complainant insisted on pursuing the case in court.

The police therefore said Mohammed was charged with assault and malicious damage, rather than with owing the ₦8,000.

The Command also clarified that the student’s continued detention at the correctional centre was not a decision by the police to hold him over the debt.

According to the police, Mohammed was granted bail after his arraignment but remained at the Agodi Correctional Centre because he could not immediately meet the conditions imposed by the court. He was released after the bail conditions were eventually fulfilled.

Mohammed’s family, however, has given a different account of the events.

His mother, Simiat Mohammed, said her son had borrowed ₦23,000 from the POS operator and repaid ₦15,000, leaving the ₦8,000 balance.

She said the operator seized his mobile phone over the outstanding amount and that Mohammed later returned to retrieve it.

The family disputed the police account that he assaulted the woman and damaged her equipment, maintaining that the confrontation occurred in the course of the dispute over his phone.

The family said Mohammed was subsequently detained and taken to court before being remanded at the correctional centre. His parents later stood as sureties to secure his release.

According to his mother, Mohammed’s condition changed significantly after he returned home on September 14.

She said he became withdrawn, ate little and repeatedly complained about the humiliation he believed he had suffered after being arrested, taken to court and remanded.

Three days after his release, Mohammed reportedly ingested a poisonous substance and later died.

His family has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest, detention, court proceedings and death.

The police, however, cautioned against drawing a direct causal link between the criminal case and Mohammed’s death without verified evidence.

The Command said the circumstances surrounding his death should be established through an appropriate investigation rather than through what it described as an inaccurate or incomplete account.

The case has therefore left competing accounts of how the dispute escalated from an ₦8,000 outstanding balance into a police case.

While the family links Mohammed’s ordeal to the debt dispute, the police maintain that the criminal proceedings were based on allegations of assault and damage to a ₦177,000 SIM registration machine.

The available accounts establish that the ₦8,000 was connected to the original financial transaction, but they differ over the circumstances that followed, including the alleged assault, property damage and the events leading to Mohammed’s detention.

The circumstances surrounding Mohammed’s death and whether any direct connection exists between the events remain matters for further investigation.