The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations has expressed concern
that tickets for the train now goes to the highest bidder such Top Government officials like Ministers, Senators and head of Agencies and Parastatals who have also left the road for the train services following spate of kidnappings along the Kaduna – Abuja highway.
The CSO through its convener Yusuf Amoke told newsmen in Kaduna recently said the train service which was initiated to serve the general public (masses) has quickly been turned to an “elites ride” due to its level of security, leaving the poor masses without option but to use the road which is classified as one of the most dangerous roads in Nigeria.
According to him, no place to hide has become the order of the day, as criminals had graduated from only blocking highways to trailing people to their homes and kidnapping them.
He called on the Federal Government to
shut down the service of the train for a period not less than 7days to allow every body irrespective of status to use the road.
“ We believe that when all of the top officials use the road, their personal security and convoys would add to the security of the road.
“They have contributed immeasurably to the security of the country over the years but have exhausted their ideas and strategies hence appoint new service chiefs to take up the challenge.
“ Avoid policies that have the tendency of adding to the existing hardship Nigerians are undergoing which is arguable largely responsible for the increasing insecurity in the country,” he said .
