The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has postponed the planned resumption of train services along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor.
The Corporation had earlier announced that operation would resume along the route Monday, May 23, 2022.
Although reasons for the postponement were not given, the Corporation in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria stated that a new date would soon be announced.
Train service along the corridor was suspended in March after an attack on the rail track by terrorists.
The attack led to the death of eight persons with several people injured while over 60 passengers were kidnapped.
The Corporation assured relatives of those in captivity the Federal Government (FG) is alive to its responsibility for the safe rescue of all persons being held hostage and pleaded for patience.
The statement reads: “The General Public is kindly invited to note the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is announcing a shift in the resumption date for Abuja Kaduna Train services (AKTS).
“A new date will be announced soonest.”
On efforts made to rescue those kidnapped, it stated: “The NRC will continue to cooperate and collaborate with the federal government in its uncompromising mandate of protecting the territorial integrity and the internal security of Nigeria for safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens especially as it concerns the rail sub-sector.
“In the same vein, we once again identify with the relatives of those in captivity on the account of the recent attack on AKTS to be rest assured that the Federal Government is alive to its responsibility for the safe rescue of all persons being held hostage.
“We, therefore, appeal, particularly to the relatives of persons held hostage to be patient and cooperate with the corporation and the security agencies as the federal government is exploring all possible ways and means to ensure the safe release of their loved ones from captivity, soonest.
“The NRC expresses its profound gratitude to the security agencies for their continued support. Thank you and God bless Nigeria.”