The minister of transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has counted the cost of Monday night attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train putting the loss at N3 billion.
Recall that a Kaduna-bound train carrying over 1000 passengers was attacked by terrorists on the Dutse axis in Kaduna, a few kilometres to the Rigasa train station in Igabi local government area of the state.
NewsGazette learnt that about 970 passengers were served while many others were killed, wounded or kidnapped.
It was further learnt that some passengers sustained injuries while many were kidnapped by the attackers.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, Amaechi said he forewarned about possible attacks on the rail line and tracks that could lead to loss of lives and property before the Monday incident.
He disclosed that he had requested for necessary digital security and crime prevention equipment that could forestall such disaster, but his proposal was blocked by his friends and colleagues in government.
The minister said the unfortunate occurrence could have been averted with relevant digital security equipment in place.
“We knew what the problem would be. We knew we needed to have digital security equipment. We applied for it.
“Because if we had those equipment, you will see nobody on that track. And I warned that lives will be lost. Now, lives are lost; eight persons dead, 25 persons in the hospital.
“We don’t know how many persons have been kidnapped. And the cost of that equipment is just N3 billion. The cost of what we’ve lost is more than N3 billion.
“We’ve lost tracks; we’ve lost locomotives and coaches. We’ve lost human beings. And the equipment is just N3 billion.
“To fix all the things on that track now, will cost us more than N3 billion. And now even the things we said give us approval to buy – at the time we asked for it, dollar was N400, now it is N500. When you come with sincerity to government and your colleagues and people are stopping you, it is annoying,” he said.
Meanwhile, the house of representatives yesterday summoned Amaechi; the minister of aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika and the chief of defence staff, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor, over the attack on Kaduna Airport and the Abuja-Kaduna train.
Also invited are the chief of army staff, Faruk Yahaya; MD, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria; the inspector general of police, Mr. Usman Akali; the national security adviser, Gen. Mohammed Monguno and others.
The decision followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the chairman, house committee on aviation, Mr. Nnolim Nnaji during plenary.
The motion was amended to include the bombing of the Kaduna bound train on Monday
The lawmaker warned that if urgent steps are not taken, it could spread to other airports across the country.
He reminded the house of a similar attack on the same Kaduna Airport that resulted in the abduction of 12 persons in 2021.
“It surprises me and truly troubles me as a person that this thing could happen in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This thing that happened – that truly happened – actually challenged to us as a nation.
“I think these bandits have taken these deliberate killings to the sovereignty of this country, far beyond what we can comprehend. So, we must accept collective failure. We must present a very formidable front as a house to ensure that these things do not happen again. And for it not to happen, somebody somewhere must be held responsible,” he said.
Another legislator, Mr. Leke Abejide, said the government should not spare anyone who is still staying in the forest and that it should deploy heavy firepower against them.
Abejide also questioned the essence of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, an organisation charged with protecting national assets.
In his contribution, Mr. Onofiok Luke described as “saddening” the fact that governance has been relegated in favour of politics towards the 2023 general elections.
“My call this morning is for every one of us, from the executive to the legislature, from the federal to the state and local government, to come together for us to proffer solutions and provide security for Nigerians, which is the primary objective of government.
“Those who used to go to Kaduna by road became challenged because of kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna road. Then, the railway and trains came but they are being challenged today,” he said.
Also supporting the motion, Mr. Mohammed Monguno urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the security sector.
Before putting the motion to question, the deputy speaker, Mr. Idris Wase said the committee will meet with the officials on Wednesday (today).
