Nigeria resumes train services 9 months after Boko Haram terror attack

By Olanrewaju Kola

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - Nigeria on Monday resumed train services that were shut down nine months ago after Boko Haram terrorists attacked a moving travelling from the capital Abuja to northwestern Kaduna state, according to an official.

Yakub Mahmoud, a spokesperson for the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), told Anadolu Agency that dozens of passengers started using train services again in most parts of the country on Monday.

"Train services have resumed on Monday. Passengers are turning out to board trains in our stations across the country," he said, without providing further details on arrangements for security.

The NRC in a statement on Saturday announced the resumption of services by passenger trains, noting that the Abuja train station would commence operation by 8 a.m. local time.

According to some passengers, the resumption of train services will relieve passengers of high costs of transportation.

"Cost of road transport from any point in Nigeria has doubled due to hike in oil (prices) but cost of train transportation remains same. It is a relief to many," Hauwa Musa, a passenger, told Anadolu Agency.

For another passenger, Ibrahim Salau, the deployment of additional security operatives on trains make passengers feel safer.

"We are confident that the security of trains will be better now. For me, train transport is still safer than others," he said.

The authorities shut down train services following the March 28 terror attack on an Abuja–Kaduna train.

At least 14 passengers were killed and 63 others kidnapped by the terrorists, while threats of attacks were also reported along other routes.