The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said that it has not suspended train services on Warri-Itakpe route, but that trains will now not be stopping at the Ajaokuta station.
Managing Director of Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, in a statement today, August 3, however confirmed the suspension of the train services on Lagos-Kano route.
“We have not stopped (services), rather what we said was that we are not going to be stopping at the Ajaokuta station.
“This is because yesterday (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.
“The train is still running, but for now we will not be stopping at Ajaokuta because they have some concerns there. We heard that they removed their traditional ruler in that location and the local government chairman there.”
The NRC boss said that apart from the Abuja-Kaduna route, the corporation had also suspended services on the Lagos-Kano route because of security concerns.
“Apart from the Lagos to Kano (train services) that has been suspended because of the fact that the Kaduna route is affected by the activities of bandits; and it (Lagos-Kano route) was stopped because we have to pass through Minna and Kaduna when heading to Kano. So we have to stop it for now.”
Recall that the NRC, on March 29, 2022, suspended train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route after an attack by terrorists which left some eight passengers dead with some others seriously injured and scores abducted.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government hinted that it will fully resume operations for the Abuja-Kaduna train route when it has installed the appropriate surveillance technology for the trains as part of measures to prevent further attacks.
