The Federal Government has revealed that it has put some security measures in place in all the train stations across the country.
This was as the government directed that the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service should resume on May 23.
This was disclosed in a statement released in Lagos on Monday by the spokesman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Yakub Mahmood,
Recall that the NRC had on March 29 suspended train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route indefinitely after the bombing by terrorists.
Announcing the resumption on Monday, Mahmood noted that additional security measures were being put in place at both the train stations and the track to ensure the safety of passengers onboard.
He said such measures were not only for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service but also for all the passenger train services, especially on the standard gauge railway lines.
“Consequently, the passengers are hereby enjoined to cooperate with the NRC in order to enjoy improved service delivery, safety and comfort.
“This is by patiently complying with additional measures that will surely be introduced for the safety of our passengers, such as requesting for passengers National Identification Numbers.
“The NIN is part of our internal security check; in addition, presentation of the following must be strictly complied with before boarding the train:
“A valid photo Identification Card (ID), reachable telephone number of Next of Kin or close relative and an online and offline purchase of tickets must contain the passenger’s individual profile or identification data,” he said.
Mahmood said efforts are ongoing to secure the safe release of the abducted passengers being held hostage by the terrorists.
He said that the government wished to assure the relatives of the abducted citizens still in captivity that the safe rescue of the passengers was a top priority.
The NRC official said they should not misconstrue the resumption of train services as abandonment or nonchalant attitude of the government towards their plight.
He said that the federal government would never abdicate its responsibility in rescuing these valuable citizens, however, it assured of its resolve not to succumb to threats by any faceless group.
Mahmood appealed to customers for understanding and invited them to cooperate with their staff at the various train stations.
He urged passengers to desist from obtaining tickets through unauthorised sources.
NAN