The Federal Government, says it would be insensitive to resume the Abuja-Kaduna train service while some of the passengers kidnapped during the March 28 train attack will be insensitive to their families.
The FG therefore, said measures are underway to employ advanced technology-based surveillance systems to forestall future terrorist attacks.
It said the options available also include the DSS-approved system deployed by the Kano State Government to frustrate terrorist activities in the vast Falgore forest.
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, stated these while fielding questions from State House Correspondents shortly after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Executive Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, after meeting with the President on April 1, had confirmed that local bandits operating in Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger and Kebbi states connived with Boko Haram terrorists to execute the attack which left at least eight passengers dead, several others injured; with at least 41 persons kidnapped.
Train services along the Abuja-Kaduna route have since halted, raising questions about the government’s plan to recommence the movement.
Responding to the queries on Wednesday, Sambo noted that two factors which he said are at the heart of the Abuja-Kaduna train services.
They include families traumatized over their members still in captivity of terrorists and the need for proper surveillance along the tracks.
He said the government is considering the best options in terms of surveillance including a Public-Private Partnership.
Sambo said: “There are two core matters at the heart of the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna rail services. And these core issues are one, families are traumatised over their loved ones that are still in captivity.
“Two, we need to have a surveillance and monitoring system on the rail track that would ensure that such incidents never happen again.
“For goodness’s sake, wouldn’t it be insensitive of us to resume these services even if security surveillance was in place? As long as some citizens of this country spend days and nights weeping over their loved ones that are held in the bush?”
Asked about definite timelines to execute the initiative, Muazu said: “If I give a timeline, I’ll be lying to you.”
