The resumption date of the Abuja to Kaduna train has been postponed due to the need to sort out ticketing, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo disclosed this during a visit to the Rigasa train station ahead of the resumption.
According to the minister, the need to ensure that more security measures are put in place and booking tickets are sorted out necessitates the postponement.
The minister added that although he could not give a definite date for the resumption of the rail service, the resumption would however not be more than a week.
He disclosed that the ministry is 90 percent ready to commence operation along the route.
“The federal government has introduced a new system of purchasing tickets. It is the beginning of security checks that will enable the government to ascertain who boards the train at every point in time.” the minister stated.
Investors King earlier reported that Abuja to Kaduna train service will resume on Monday.
The earlier scheduled date for the resumption follows the minister’s statement at the presidential briefing that the train service along the Abuja to Kaduna route will resume operation before the end of this month.
It would be recalled that Abuja to Kaduna train service was suspended following the attack on the train on 28th March 2022 when terrorists planted explosives that derailed the train.
The attack led to the death of no less than nine passengers while 60 were abducted.
They were however released in batches after spending several months with the terrorists.
Muazu had on several occasions disclosed that service along the route will not resume until all those held in captivity have been released and better security measures put in place to prevent a recurrence.
While fielding questions from journalists yesterday, the minister disclosed that the number of daily trips would be reduced, and the use of National Identity Number would be strictly requested as part of strategies to secure passengers.