By Desire Emmanuel
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Sunday, May 3, announced an attack on its train along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor by hoodlums and criminals.
The NRC added that this latest attack was the sixth time in two weeks such types of attacks are taking place.
It said the latest attack occurred around Kilometre 177 along the rail corridor where the hoodlums and criminals stoned a moving train, leading to damage to the windscreen of the leading locomotive.
The corporation said within the last two weeks, similar attacks had also been witnessed in other locations, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village, Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on the same corridor, a development that is posing danger to railway operations, passengers and operational personnel.
The NRC disclosed that similar incidents have so far been recorded in more than six locations along the corridor, worsening the already challenging operational conditions under which the corporation continues to provide essential transport services to Nigerians.
The NRC said : “These persistent attacks not only endanger lives and damage critical railway infrastructure, but also constitute acts of economic sabotage capable of disrupting national transportation and undermining the Federal Government’s huge investments in the railway sector.
“Despite the unfortunate development, train operations have continued with necessary safety precautions and strict operational vigilance by railway personnel, who have continued to demonstrate commitment and professionalism in ensuring that passengers reach their destinations safely.”
