We have not fixed Nov 24 for resumption of Abuja-Kaduna train service – NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation says reports of Abuja-Kaduna rail service resuming on November 24 are not true and should be disregarded.

The reports came days after Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, had disclosed that the rail line suspended over seven months ago would resume operations this month (November).

But the Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria, described as a rumour the news that the Abuja-Kaduna rail line would return to operation on November 24.

Okhiria told the News Agency of Nigeria that no definite date had been fixed for the resumption.

He however said the Federal Government was making every necessary effort to ensure the resumption of the train before the end of November.

Okheria was quoted as saying, “I wish to inform the general public that the news is false because a definite date has not yet been fixed.

“It is true that the minister announced that we would resume services on that route this November and efforts are being made by all necessary quarters to ensure we resume before the end of November.

“I wish to reiterate the commitment of the Federal Government and the corporation to securing the lives and properties of our highly esteemed passengers and Nigerians.”

Train service along the route was suspended after terrorists on March 28 attacked and abducted some train passengers coming from Abuja heading for Kaduna.  The abductors later released the captives in piecemeal over a period.

After the March 28 attack on the train resulting in killings, injuries and abductions, the terrorists released 11 of the abductees in June; set free seven more abducted passengers, including Sadiq, son of Ango Abdullahi, chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

On August 2, five kidnap victims were released and in subsequent days, more abductees secured their freedom and the last set of 23 victims released early last month.