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NRC Suspends Nationwide Train Services Ahead of Saturday’s Elections
Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended train services in the country to enable Nigerians exercise their civic responsibilities.
The temporary suspension of train services will be from February 25 to February 27, 2023, the NRC said in a statement on Wednesday.
The statement signed by the Corporation’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood list the routes suspended to include the Abuja–Kaduna, Warri–Itakpe, Lagos–Ibadan, and the Iddo Lagos-Ijoko train services.
“However, the management assures the general public of the normal train services recommencement on Tuesday 28th February, 2023,” the statement added.
Train services have been suspended in parts of the country in the last one year after attacks and derailment.
On March 28, 2022 terrorists attacked a Kaduna-Abuja train, killed some passengers and kidnapped others who later regain their freedom. Also, on January 7, 2023, passengers waiting to board a train in Edo State were abducted but freed days later.
The Corporation had also suspended its Abuja-Kaduna services in January following derailment at the Kubwa Station.
February 22, 2023
Six Victims Of Edo Train Attack Regains Freedom
Six victims of Saturday’s train attack in the Igueben area of Edo State have been rescued.
They were part of the thirty-one persons who were abducted when gunmen attacked a train station in Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area of the state. The victims were said to be waiting to board a train heading to Warri in Delta State.
But the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in an update about the incident on Monday, said some of the victims have been rescued. A breakdown of the figure showed that the freed persons included a nursing mother, her baby, and a six-year-old child.
“Following the directive from Governor Godwin Obaseki that the kidnappers that attacked the train in Igueben on Saturday be smoked out of their hiding and the persons abducted be rescued, we are happy to announce that six (6) persons have been rescued,” the Commissioner added in the statement.
“The six persons are a 65-year-old man, a nursing mother with her baby, a 6-year-old girl, and two siblings; aged two and five years old.
“We commend the efforts of the rescue team in the bushes and their support staff that have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred to ensure the kidnapped passengers are rescued and reunited with their families.”
He expressed optimism that other victims will be rescued soon as security agents have doubled down on smoking out the abductors.
“As events unfold in the bushes, be assured that we will keep you posted and we crave the support of all stakeholders, particularly the media to stay with the facts and avoid sensational reports that could further inflict emotional pain on the families and friends of the victims who are already in distress,” he assured.”Operation Bush Combing continues.”
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
Press Release
January 9, 2023
Following the directive from Governor Godwin Obaseki that the kidnappers that attacked the train in Igueben on Saturday be smoked out of their hiding and the persons abducted be rescued, we are happy to announce that six (6) persons have been rescued.
The six persons are: a 65-year-old man, a nursing mother with her baby, a 6-year-old girl and two siblings; aged two and five years old.
We commend the efforts of the rescue team in the bushes and their support staff that have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred to ensure the kidnapped passengers are rescued and reunited with their families.
We are confident that the other victims will be rescued soon as the highly motivated security personnel are in high spirits and have doubled down on the hot chase of the kidnappers.
As events unfold in the bushes, be assured that we will keep you posted and we crave the support of all stakeholders, particularly the media to stay with the facts and avoid sensational reports that could further inflict emotional pain on the families and friends of the victims who are already in distress.
Operation Bush Combing continues.
Signed:
Chris Osa Nehikhare,
Hon. Commissioner for Communication and Orientation
January 10, 2023
FG set to resume Abuja-Kaduna Train operations
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello together with senior officials of the FCT Administration (FCTA), has held a meeting with senior officials of the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) at the Operation Control Centre (OCC) of the rail system at Idu, Abuja.
This is part of the effort geared towards the resumption of operations of the Abuja Mass Rail Transit System that has been disrupted since March after terrorists attack.
Speaking after the meeting, which included an extensive tour of the OCC, the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said that the purpose of the visit was to review the project and determine what actions to be taken within the shortest possible time to restore the rail system back into operation.
He said, “The FCT Administration has made substantial investment in this project with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria. You will recall that the project was test run shortly after it was commissioned, and thereafter the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a forced closure and suspension of operations.
“COVID is over and we are desirous to resume operations. But there are certain issues that were not intended that have arisen, which will require attention. This is the purpose of coming here to look at the project in its entirety and to know actions to be taken within the shortest possible time in order to restore the Abuja Mass Rail Transit System back into operation.
“A lot of high-powered decisions were reached, which we will give effect to as directed by the minister. We will look forward to a quick resumption of the operation of the train system.”
On security, Mr Olusade said that in preparation for the resumption of operations, measures had been put in place to ensure the security of the entire length of the light rail system in addition to the security that would be provided on board by other government agencies.
He explained that, “So, for the security of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, it is guaranteed. When we resume operations, everybody can travel safely.”
October 31, 2022
Relatives of Kidnaped Train Passengers Warn FG over Plans to Resume Operations
Family members of the kidnapped Kaduna-Abuja train passengers have criticised the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for launching his presidential campaign, without due regard for the victims, languishing in the abductor’s den.
This was contained in a statement by the leader of the victim’s relatives group, Dr Abdulfatai Jimoh.
Jimoh warned the Nigerian Railway Corporation management against attempts to resume train services.
He also urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), to suspend plans to resume train service, wondering how the Minister will direct the resumption of rail services without a concrete plan to rescue passengers abducted in the bombed train.
The family members through Jimoh said it was most uncharitable that Amaechi, under whose watch the attack occurred as a minister, could only celebrate rather than resign after the attack.
He said the first thing should be to get the captives out and then put adequate measures in place to ensure the attack does not happen again in future
“We want to believe that they won’t try it and if they do, we won’t take it lightly with them because human lives are involved. We believe they won’t. We believe they won’t because they know what’s at stake.” he said
Fatima Ciroma, whose sister is among the victims, regretted that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi declared his intent to vie for presidency shortly after the attack.
She called on Nigerians not to elect the likes of the minister as president in the 2023 presidential election because “he is inhuman.”
Meanwhile, the bandits have threatened to kill all hostages in their custody if the federal government refuses to dialogue with them.
April 16, 2022
FG declares free train rides for Nigerians
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared free train rides for citizens from December 24 to January 4, 2022.
Mr. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
on Friday in Abuja.
”The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation is to ease movement of citizens during the yuletide.
”This is to help ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens to easily enjoy the festive period.
”Passengers are, however, advised to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them gain access and enter the trains.
”All passengers are also enjoined to observe and obey COVID-19 rules by weasanitizingce mask, washing and sanitizing of hands.“
He also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensure the safety of passengers and trains during the period.
December 24, 2021
Abuja/Kaduna Train Attack: Amaechi Promises Improved Security as Train Services Resume Tomorrow
Minister of Transportation Rt.Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has reassured Nigerians that there would be improved security on the Abuja/Kaduna train route.
Amaechi also said, plans were underway to digitalize security on the nation’s railway facilities.
Amaechi spoke during an unscheduled assessment tour of the train service to ascertain the level of damage caused on the rail tracks after it was attacked by bandits who used explosives to detonate the tracks.
He said, ” We want to assure the public that beyond the physical presence of Police and the Military along this track, we will get a rail bus for patrol regularly so that we can see what is happening even before the train takes off, and it will be end to end. Apart from this, there has not been any security challenges on this track. What this has done to us is that we would fasten the procurement process of the digital security system that we planned to put in place. It has gone to the Cabinet two weeks ago and it has returned. So, we’ll re-present it to Cabinet to ensure that we get approval for the installation.
“The essence of the digital security system is to enable us to know when there’s an impact on the rail to forestall this kind of attack. We will get the Police involved so that they will be here before the installation of the digital facility”he said.
Amaechi said , though he may not be happy that the attack occured, fact has shown that Nigerian Engineers are now capable of constructing their own railway.
Hear him, “I am not happy that the security breach took place but what it has done is to show that we actually have the capacity to fix our rail . The essence of this is to make sure that by the time the Chinese leaves we should start the gradual process of constructing our own railway. The repair was done by our own Nigerian Engineers in record time and by tomorrow (Saturday) we will run the first train”, he said.
October 22, 2021
Train Crash With Truck In Lagos
A train on motion has on Monday, reportedly had a head-on collision with a truck.
The incident occurred at about 8.52 am at Mofolasayo Drive, Jonathan Coker Road Level Crossing, Iju/Ishaga, Lagos.
It could not be ascertained if casualties were recorded at the scene but it was gathered that law enforcement officials were on ground.
Eyewitnesses’ account said the incident has disrupted the free flow of traffic in the axis as motorists have been advised to seek alternative routes.
February 15, 2021
Train derails, kills 47 cows in Osogbo
A train in Osogbo, Osun State, lose track and killed about 47 cows.
The accident occurred around 3pm at Power line area, Osogbo.
It was gathered that the train that carried stones was heading to Kwara state.
Eyewitness stated that it was the last coach of the train that broke from the track.
One of the owners of the cows, Rabiu Ismail, expressed sadness over the incidence.
He said the cows that died worth about N10 millions.
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November 26, 2020
Train saved from plunging 10m into water by a whale tail sculpture
A train that shot through a stop block was saved from a dramatic plunge into the water below – by a sculpture of a whale’s tail.
The metro train was left balancing on the tail fins – known as “flukes” – 10m above the ground near the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.
The crash happened just before midnight and woke people living in nearby houses, but thankfully, the train’s driver escaped injury.
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One nearby resident said: “It was a noise that lasted two or three seconds.”
“I realized that there was something on the tail… I thought ‘Something very odd is happening here’.”
Authorities were forced to tell sightseers to stay away after scores ignored coronavirus restrictions to visit the scene where workers are trying to remove the train.
Despite this, some 50 people remained as authorities worked against strengthening winds.
November 2, 2020
Train runs into commercial bus in Lagos
A train has collided with a bus in Oshodi, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced.
The agency made this known via its Twitter account on Monday.
It tweeted: “A train ran into a Volkswagen T4 bus at the ARENA crossing, pushing it to Oshodi U-bridge. Onlookers causing more harm than good. Men on ground, Necessary Agencies.”
Details shortly…
September 14, 2020