Eight months after its suspension by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) due to an attack by Bokoharam terror group, the Abuja-Kaduna train resumed activities on Monday.
While a handful of passengers and armed security personnel were aboard the first trip from Abuja to Kaduna state, commuters expressed satisfaction with the new modalities and security checks at the stations.
“I am excited about the resumption of train services…there are security agents everywhere but I don’t know for how long this will be,” a commuter said.
Authorities have blamed the brazen attack in March on the armed groups who have been kidnapping people for ransom in Northwestern Nigeria.
The train service is a key means of transport for many in Nigeria’s capital, a city of 3.6 million, because the major road to the city suffers frequent kidnappings and not many can afford air travel.
In spite of a very strong security presence at the Idu and Rigasa train stations, passenger turnout is, however, low owing to the short notice period of its resumption. It is expected to improve in few weeks’ time.