…Says tracking equipment installed to monitor movement
By Matthew Tabe
The Deputy Director Operations, Nigeria Railways Corporation, Mr. Akin Osinowo has disclosed that 100 passengers boarded the train from Idu station, Abuja to Kaduna on Monday morning which marked the recommencement of operations.
The train left Idu station enroute Kaduna at exactly 9:45am while the one that came from Kaduna reached the station at 10:20am today (Monday).
He equally revealed that they have acquired new technological gadgets that tracks all their trains in every location of operations in the country.
Recalled that terrorists had attacked an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train on March 28, 2022, killing some and abducting more than 60 passengers.
Following the release of all the abducted victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack, it is reported that over N6 billion may have been paid to the terrorists to set most of their captives free.
The train service has been suspended for about 8 months which over N2billion worth market value was lost due to the evil incident.
Speaking exclusively to The Quest Times, Mr. Osinowo said ” for the resumption of Service it’s difficult to tell you how many passengers we have entirely that were onboard today because we’re taking passengers from three points. We have passengers coming from Rigasa, Kubwa and Idu stations, so it’s still a life theater.
“The only thing I can say is that we have about 100 passengers from Idu alone and the arrival from Kaduna probably the same number.”
According to him the number looks small but it is very impressive, for the service had gone through alot of trauma because of the evil incident and considering the fact Monday is usually their low passengers day at the station.
Speaking on the security and safety of passengers’ lives, he stressed aside the synergy with the security agencies, adding that the management has installed tracking equipment to monitor the movement of the trains.