4.6 C
New York
Friday, September 22, 2023

Nigerian Trains Finally Resume Operations 8 Months After Devastating Attack

Date:

Share post:

Rail services, linking the Nigerian capital Abuja to the northern city of Kaduna, have resumed operations eight months after being suspended following one of the country’s high-profile hijackings.

On March 28, militants blew up the tracks with explosives and attacked the train traveling between Abuja and Kaduna. They opened fire, killing eight people, injuring 26 and taking over 100 passengers hostage.

The hostages were released in batches after negotiations with their captors, who reportedly received huge ransoms from their families.

Nigerian

Reporters from Agence France-Presse and the local newspaper, Punch, who was at Abuja train station on Monday, said the train left the capital around 10:00 a.m. (09:00 GMT) for the two-hour journey to Kaduna.

Passengers were few – they only used a third of the train’s capacity – but they are happy to be running again after eight months.

She had arrived at the station early to avoid the traffic jam.

“I was just waiting for trains to start again, so I’m really happy to be here today,” passenger Jania Adesina, a 50-year-old university professor, told AFP.

Also, read; Senegal Bows Out of The World Cup, Leaving Morocco As The Only African Nation in The Tournament

She added, “30 minutes after I arrived, we saw a team of military personnel with two armored tanks and other vehicles — about five of them, driving around all these places.”

Police said they deployed personnel and equipment to protect passengers and secure the tracks.

Nigerian Railways – operators of the train – had planned to resume Abuja-Kaduna service much earlier, but the hostages’ families insisted they be released first.

Nigerian Trains Finally Resume Operations 8 Months After Devastating Attack

They also raised concerns about the safety of passengers on the road.

The Abuja highway was repeatedly attacked by gunmen who kidnapped passengers and forced travelers to choose the train.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is stepping down after February’s elections, sees rail expansion as a key element of his infrastructure programs.

The attack on the Kaduna train was one of several high-profile incidents this year and highlighted the challenge facing Nigeria’s overstretched security forces.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Get Our Stories First

- Advertisement -

Related articles

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame Declares Intention for 2024 Re-election Campaign

Kagame, who became president in 2000, is eligible to continue in office for another decade after a constitutional amendment in 2015.

South Africa Urges Two-Minute Showers as Water Shortage Persists

In addition, residents are being urged to refrain from filling swimming pools until the water shortage crisis subsides

Kenyan Military Helicopter Crashes Near Somalia Border, Claiming Eight Lives

The Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that the Air Force helicopter was on a night patrol when the crash occurred.

18 African Countries With The Most Polygamous Marriages

We will explore 18 African countries known for their high prevalence of polygamous marriages, shedding light on the cultural, historical, social, and legal factors that contribute to this unique aspect of African society.