SaharaReporters learnt that despite the low turnout of passengers, there was a heavy presence of security operatives to maintain law and order.
Low passenger turnout greeted the resumption of train operations along the Kaduna-Abuja railway line on Monday eight months after it was suspended following a deadly attack by the Islamic terror group, Boko Haram.
SaharaReporters learnt that despite the low turnout of passengers, there was a heavy presence of security operatives to maintain law and order.
SaharaReporters earlier reported earlier that the Nigeria Police Force had deployed armed personnel, including a bomb squad to monitor the track.
The personnel were drawn from the Police Mobile Force, K-9, Force Intelligence Bureau, Explosive Ordnance Unit and Railway Police Command.
Islamic terrorists attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022, killing eight passengers and kidnapping at least 62 others. Many others were injured.
Abducted passengers were released in batches since then, with the last 23 freed in October, almost six months after the attack.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee (CDSAC), Usman Yusuf, announced the release of the 23 abductees.
A presidential committee set up by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, to look into the abduction secured the release of the 23 remaining kidnap victims.
In a statement issued after the release of the victims, Yusuf said, “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs (4:00pm) today, Wednesday, 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General L.E.O. Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022.
“The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian military under the leadership of the CDS, who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister security agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this operation.
“The unwavering support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari is what made it all possible.
“Members of this committee are grateful for the rare honour and privilege to be part of this humanitarian operation.
“May God Almighty heal our wounds and bring peace to our land.”