FG: We won’t reopen Abuja-Kaduna train service until…

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, says the Kaduna-Abuja train service will remain shut until the kidnapped victims are reunited with their families and additional security measures provided.  

He said the proposed surveillance security equipment on rail tracks would be procured.

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The minister spoke after he inspected the Idu, Abuja Train Station on Tuesday.

He said, “Before the service is reopened, it is very important to get those Nigerians that have been kidnapped reunited with their families, otherwise it will appear the government is not sensitive whereas the government is not only sensitive but the government is doing everything it can to make sure that those who have been affected by this abduction are reunited with their families.”

Secondly, he said “you must put in place adequate security and infrastructural measures to protect and prevent all forms of threats that are possible and leave what you cannot do to God but everything humanly possible must be put in place to ensure that the reoccurrence of this nature is automatically eliminated forever.”

He noted that “technology can make that possible and we are trying to deploy the best technology available anywhere in the world that has served very well in other jurisdictions which we believe can also serve us very well in Nigeria.”

On the said the N3bn rail track sensors, he said: “We’re in the process of procuring the sensors and that is why I said we must ensure that we put in place every infrastructure that will ensure that lives are safeguarded. So, the technology that is going to be deployed is such that you can perceive a threat and eliminate it before you get to the location; that is being proactive.

“The best way to travel as far as I am concerned is by train and by the grace of God, we’ll make sure these services resume but not until those things I mentioned have been achieved. Rescue or reunion of those that have been kidnapped with their families and put in place technology that will ensure that threats to lives are eliminated.” he said.