Before the Abuja-Kaduna train services resume

It could be recalled that the federal government shut down the train operation along the Abuja-Kaduna railway following a terror attack on March 28, 2022 to curtail the terrible act and rescue the people in captivity.

The terror attack led to the suspension of train services along the route resulted in the killing of about eight people and several were abducted. However the train services will be resuming operations this month.

Though the Minister of Transport Mu’azu Sambo did not announce the specific date for the resumption, there is a need for the federal government to beef up security on the said route to avoid further attacks.

Without a doubt, the outcome of the attacks was very bad and most of the abductees returned home in batches as the kidnappers refused to release them uniformly. Nonetheless, the nature of the release has thrown many of them into a precarious situation that up to date some of them are in the hospital receiving medical attention.

In the first instance, 11 passengers were freed on the June, 11 and seven passengers on the 9th of July. Also, four passengers were freed on the 25th of July, and another five were released on the 2nd of August. Similarly, seven passengers were freed on the 10th of August and another four were released on the 19th of August and the final set of 23 was released on Thursday the 6th of September 2022.

This indicates that the victims have suffered a lot before regaining their freedom from the hands of the kidnappers. Therefore, it is good for the federal government to beef up security on the said route to protect people from falling into the hands of kidnappers again. This is to protect the lives and property of its citizens.

Though the minister has said that there will be huge security forces to be operating within the route, it is important to have them on the ground checking the safety of the route before the resumption of the train services along Abuja-Kaduna route.

Finally, let the federal government be on security alert before the service resumption. This is not to allow another innocent soul to fall into the hands of those unscrupulous elements.

Sherif Bukar Gambo,
Department of Mass Communication,
Borno State University,
Maiduguri, Borno state.
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