Abuja-Kaduna train attacks shock Tinubu, cancels 70th birthday colloquium
…Buhari orders security Chiefs to arrest perpetrators
…As NRC, workers disagree on technology- driven security
…Rail operations suspended temporarily
…Fresh attack rocks Gidan train station
…Osun sympathises with Nigerians, Kaduna Govt
By Moses Adeniyi and Abimbola Abatta
Attendee-dignitaries far and near were taken aback over an action by frontline 2023 presidential aspirant, Senator Bola Tinubu, who on Tuesday cancelled his 13th multi-million naira colloquium over Monday night train attack.
Tinubu, a two-term Governor of Lagos State, who shocked the mammoth crowd of stakeholders gathered in Lagos to celebrate with him in the annual colloquium which would have had Tuesday’s edition as the 13th, lamented the situation of insecurity in the Country.
The event which was on international live broadcast came to an abrupt end after Tinubu gave a shocker to observers and attendees who are critical business, political, religious, and royal stakeholders.
According to him, as a democrat, it would be improper to continue the colloquium while the nation is in a mourning mood.
Tinubu explained that the decision to discontinue the event “being a highly committed democrat,” was reached in consultation with close associates.
“They have suggested and agreed that this event be cancelled,” he said, urging all attendees to seize the rest of the day to “pray for the Nation.”
Lamenting the “insecurity of lives in this country,” he said “it calls for a very serious, I mean, sober reflection. To me, to be here celebrating, dancing, and enjoying, doesn’t show a noble concern as a statesman and a senior citizen of this country.”
“I will urge the two clergies who are here to continue to pray and everyone of you to go home and pray. This event should not be holding,” he declared.
Tinubu who called for sober reflection urged Nigerians to pray so that GOD will help the country “win the world of evil, set Nigeria on the right part, bless us and provide his guide on all of us in various ways.
“We pray for the souls of those who have departed, prematurely. We pray via our clergymen to please pray that the Almighty GOD will help us win the world of evil, set Nigeria on the right part, bless us and provide his guardians on all of us in the various ways,” he said.
On what he described as “national tragedy and concern,” Tinubu called for one minute silence.
Dignitaries ranging from key public officers, including Governors, Deputy Governors, Federal and State lawmakers, Ministers, traditional rulers, Business Moguls, were turned back as the event was brought to an abrupt end.
Tinubu addressed the crowd to make known the decision shortly after the event commenced with prayers and the national anthem.
Among the dignitaries include Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, his Kano State Counterpart, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Also were Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa; former Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wammako; former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima; former Chairman of the Petroleum Revenue Task Force and former head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu.
Also were business moguls including Chairman and CEO Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, Femi Otedola, among others.
Traditional rulers include Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ìjájá II); Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Adewale Shotobi, Oniru of Iruland, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal; Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that a terrorists’ bomb attack on an Abuja-Kaduna route train had left a number of persons dead.
It was gathered Rigasa Train Station in Kaduna suffered the blast which was followed by gunshots leaving a number of persons killed, some missing, while the attackers left with many.
The attack occurred at Katari in Kaduna State, 55 miles from Abuja, on Monday evening.
While Authorities could not immediately confirm the number of passengers on the train, report revealed that about 400 people were onboard.
Reliable sources disclosed that no less than eight persons have been confirmed dead while 41 sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Hunt down perpetrators, make them pay — Buhari tells Security Chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari, sequel to the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, has ordered Security Chiefs in the country to hunt down the perpetrators and make them pay for their heinous acts.
The President equally called for immediate conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line.
He also directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) management to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay.
President Buhari gave these directives in Abuja, on Tuesday, after receiving briefs from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Faruk Yahaya; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao; the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, as well as the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Samuel Adebayo and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi in the State House.
Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, was quoted to have “charged the law enforcement chiefs to bring back all passengers kidnapped and ensure that each of the callous terrorists are hunted down and made to face justice for their heinous acts as no one or group should be allowed to make the country prostrate.”
He reiterated his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists, urging them to be more decisive and not spare anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.
“No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom,” the President said.
He condemned the bombing of the passenger train, saying, “like most Nigerians, I am deeply pained by its occurrence, the second of its type, which has resulted in the death of a yet to be determined number of passengers and others who suffered injuries.
“The attack on the train, a safe means of transport to many, is callous; and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured,” he said.
NRC suspends Abuja-Kaduna rail operations after terrorists’ attack
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route following the terrorists’ attack.
The NRC disclosed this in a statement yesterday morning.
“Dear passengers, due to unforeseen circumstances, Train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route has been temporarily suspended.
“Further communication would be given in due course,” the statement read.
Improve security with technology-driven system — NRC workers
The Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR) has called on the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to stop night train operations till the security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.
NUR, in a statement issued yesterday, lamented that all its security observations expressed to the NRC management on improving the security and safety of the train service were not taken.
According to the statement signed by the Union’s Secretary-General, Segun Esan, “We were shocked to the marrows when we were reached with the sad news of yet another terrorist attack on our Abuja–Kaduna passenger train which happened around 8 p.m. on Monday 28th March 2022.
“As a responsible union, we are completely touched and held in thrall that such a dastardly and unprovoked terrorist attack can befall the flagship and the essence of our operational existence as a Corporation for the second time in quick succession having tasted the gall of this terrorist attack on our passenger train in October 2021.
“We regret that there is no proof that all our observations expressed to the NRC management on improving the security and safety of the train service was taken especially our advice that night train service be stopped till security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.”
The statement read further: “We assure that, as responsible social partners for effective and efficient rail transport service in Nigeria, we will not relent on our patriotic quest in making railway truly and practically safe for all.”
Fresh attack rocks Gidan train station
Meanwhile, barely 24 hours after the attack on the Kaduna-bound passenger train, reports have shown that terrorists have attacked Gidan train Station along the Abuja-Kaduna rail track.
According to sources, the terrorists may have planted improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on the tracks, thereby forcing the train heading to Abuja from Kaduna to a stop.
Osun Govt sympathises with Nigerians, Kaduna Govt
Meanwhile, the State of Osun Government has sympathised with Nigerians and the Kaduna Government over the Abuja-Kaduna Rail bombing.
In a statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect, the administration said, “It is with great pain that we received the news of the daring attack by agents of darkness on an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train in Katari area of Kaduna State, a tragedy that has left in its trail deaths, injuries and abductions.
“On behalf of the Governor of Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Government and the people of the State, we express our heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims, the Federal Government, the government and people of Kaduna state and indeed all Nigerians over this unfortunate incidence.
“This latest attack by every measure, is abominable. The nation has again suffered human and material losses. Lives have been cut short in their prime by these rampaging army of the heartless. We are however encouraged by the collective resolve of government at every level to stop these workers of iniquity in their tracks, to put an end to the narrative of bloodletting, sorrows and severe pains that these evil doers have brought upon the country.
Kaduna State, and indeed Nigeria, are assured of the support of the government and good people of Osun at this difficult time.
“Our prayer is that God grants the families of the victims of this tragedy the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses while we pray for quick recovery of all those who sustained various forms of injuries,” the statement read.
