Security agents have been deployed in bushes and train stations on the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, it was learnt yesterday.
The deployment of soldiers and other security agents is one of the security measures initiated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) management to thwart alleged plot to attack trains plying the route.
The Nation also gathered from a top official of the NRC that each train will now have, at least,15 riot policemen on board. This is apart from a close circuit camera and Thuraya phone in each coach.
The official, who declined to be named, explained that the security measures were in line with the content of a letter to the NRC by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The NRC top shot said: “I spoke with the security team today and they confirmed to me that soldiers have already been deployed in the forests. The men deployed include personnel from the Air Force and Army.
“I can confirm that to you because some of the staff who were on escort operation with the train from Abuja-Kaduna saw some of the soldiers in each of the stations and even in the bushes.
“From the information available to me, the Chief of Defence Staff, in collaboration with the Chief of Army Staff, instructed that the bushes in Rigasa, Jere and Asham be combed thoroughly to fish out the bad elements.
“The number of security personnel on the train has not increased, but on each trip from Abuja to Kaduna, not less than 15 Mobile Police Officers join the train and they are fully armed.
“We also have surveillance camera installed on each of the locomotives, which is monitored from the Idu Station. So, the operators can see what is going in and around the train.
“The stations have also been equipped with Thuraya phone and calls from it can be monitored from the NRC headquarters in Lagos and also by the Force Headquarters in Abuja.”
“So, to the best of my knowledge, these measures and some others that I will not like to mention have been put in place to forestall the attack. We will not witness what we witnessed in March last year.”
The DSS had in the letter dated August 11 and addressed to the NRC management advised that security be tightened in and around the corporation’s stations
The letter titled: “Security Alert: Impending threat by a Coalition of Banditry Syndicate to attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service along the AKTS Corridor” was signed by R.N Dopemu for the State Director of Security FCT Command of the service.
It partly reads: “Intelligence report indicates an impending threat to seamless train transportation along the Abuja – Kaduna Train Service (AKTS). The development is a sequel to the plot by a coalition of banditry syndicates to attack Abuja – Kaduna Train Service aimed at kidnapping passengers on board for ransom any moment from now.
“In view of the threat inherent and the need to forestall likely breach of security along the AKTS, it is advised that existing security arrangements be scaled up within and along the route. In addition, there is a need for the listed counter-security measures to be emplaced to nip in the bud the impending threats.
“Air surveillance patrol, surveillance on the rail track, military checkpoint/ patrol, Police checkpoint/ patrol, security raid operation be carried out around Byazhin, Jibi, as well as Ija forest, enhance the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (NPMF) operatives with a walkie talkie to sustain escort services on train, deploy more Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with walkie talkie to provide escort duty, crisis response team be established in the advent of attack for quick response time and intelligence sharing amongst all relevant stakeholders.
“Although the aforementioned threat is yet to be in the public domain, the development is capable of heightening fears over the safety of lives and property amongst stakeholders and commuters of trail transportation along the AKTS corridor.
“Therefore, the need to discreetly manage this intelligence provided cannot be, over-emphasized. This is particularly against the backdrop of fatal attacks along the routes which left casualties and victims hence, some passengers were killed as well as others abducted for several months before their eventual release.”
Gunmen had in March last year killed eight people and kidnapped 168 others aboard a Kaduna–bound train near Rigassa.
Some of the kidnapped passengers were released in batches after their relations paid ransom while the rest regained their freedom following weeks of negotiation between government agents and the bandits.
One of the masterminds of the attack was arrested in February this year by members of Operation Whirl Punch.
