The Lagos-Kano and Ajaokuta train services have reportedly been suspended by the Nigerian Railway Corporation out of concern for more terrorist strikes.
An insider at the Ministry of Transportation and the NRC claimed that unless the security of commuters along the Lagos-Kano route and the Ajaokuta train station is guaranteed, the train services will not resume.
Additionally, Clariform can confirm from the revelations provided by the source that the NRC had halted operations at the Ajaokuta station on the Warri-Itakpe route as a result of the gunmen’s attack on several passengers on Monday.
Notable Quote
According to the insider, “We have not discontinued (services) throughout the Warri-Itakpe route; rather, we will not be stopping at the Ajaokuta station for now.”
“This is because on Monday, while passengers were leaving the station with their private cars and buses, they had people shooting at them. So we said we will not stop there again for passengers.”
Takeaway
The worrisome security situation in the country has hampered normal life around the country, making it impossible for Nigerians to live a normal life.
President Buhari on Tuesday called for foreign help and more international collaboration to tackle Nigeria`s worsening insecurity situation.
Clariform reports that the Buhari’s government came to power in 2015 basking on the twin promise of tackling insecurity and corruption.
However, the administration from all indications and popular opinion across the country has performed below average on both indices.
The above had led to heighten insecurity in the country even in Abuja the seat of government.
The state of insecurity has particularly been alarming in the last two months with Abuja witnessing multiple attacks in July alone.
Catch-up
Clariform recall that the Nigerian nation was rudely awaken on March 29th 2022 with the News that a train carrying hundreds of passengers were attacked in the evening of March 28th while heading to Kaduna from Abuja.
Before the attack happened, passengers had preferred the train services as a safe means to travel and avoid been kidnapped which is common around Kaduna.
High caliber politicians and others saw the train as a safe haven from criminals. However, that myth has since been shattered with the train attack, which led to the death of passengers and kidnap of others.
Clariform reports that the details of the negotiations and release of these hostages has not been confirmed by government sources or security agencies amidst the rise in conspiracy theories amongst the populace
Conspiracy theories includes the rumours that government and family members of the kidnapped victims are pacifying the kidnappers through the payment of ransom.
There is also the rumour that the ransom could be as low as 50 Million Naira or as high as 100 Million Naira per victim.
