Kaduna train attack: CSOs demand Amaechi’s resignation

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has demanded for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi over the recent attack on Abuja-Kaduna bound train.

At least eight people were killed, scores injured and others missing on March 28 when gunmen detonated a bomb on the track and opened fire on the train after it was detailed.

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The coalition under the auspices of Civil Society Forum of Nigeria (CSFN) on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) rejected the N3.7bn proposal for the procurement of security equipment because the minister placed personal interest above national interest.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Executive Director, Voters Rights Assembly (VRA), Comrade Yinka Dada, said the attack on the train might had been curtailed if there were surveillance systems in place.

According to him, it is surprising that the minister refused to accept responsibility for the security lapse instead of accusing other authorities within the government of sabotaging efforts at mounting surveillance equipment systems at the rail lines.

“It is evident that Amaechi did not put national interest forward. It is clear that all he attempted to do was favoritism. It is even crystal annoying that after the attacks, he insulted the sensibilities of Nigerians by justifying his personal interest for the attacks.

“Nigerians are dying daily and our nation is now watered with the blood of citizens whose government seem incapable of protecting their lives.

“In a saner clime, Amaechi should have turned in his resignation by now. And since he has refused, the citizens owe it a duty to ask for his resignation,” Dada said.

While demanding for the resignation of the Minister, Dada also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack him (Amaechi) if he refuses to resign.

He said Nigerians were tired of condolences emanating from the presidency and are now demanding for action.

He said, “In the next few days, the citizens will respond peacefully through collective struggle for emancipation from the grip of non- state actors by demanding the sack of appointees who have shown clear negligence in their line of duty.”