Few hours after the Federal Government declared that Nigeria is becoming safer everyday with the string of successes being recorded in the fight against Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits and other criminal elements, suspected terrorists have reportedly attacked Abuja-Kaduna train with no fewer than 970 passengers on board.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, at a media briefing in Abuja, ated by the day.
He boasted that the Federal Government had done well on ensuring safety via rail transport. “We are proud that in our time, Nigerians are once again able to travel by rail, this time in total comfort and safety,” he said.
But Daily Sun confirmed that the attack occurred last night at a point between Katari and Rijana. This was collaborated by Google map posted by a passenger.
Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, confirmed the attack on the railtrack.
Okhiria, who could not give any detail about the attack, said information at his disposal was still sketchy at 9:45pm as to the number of casualties and time of occurrence.
“Yes I can confirm to you that there was an attack on the train. But, the details I cannot give you for now because I have not got the details. This is all I can day for now,” he said.
The assailants were said to have attacked the rail tracks with explosives and successfully immobilised train.
One of the passengers who confirmed the incident in a telephone call said the attackers had surrounded the train and were shooting sporadically. “All the passengers are currently lying on the floor of the train. The bandits are shooting sporadically. We are in serious danger.”
However, soldiers were said to have rescued all the passengers.
(The Sun)
Nigeria becoming safer everyday – FG by NAN
The Federal Government says the country is becoming safer every day with the string of successes being recorded in the fight against Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits and other criminal elements.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this at a media briefing on Monday in Abuja.
He said the security forces had taken the battle to the bandits and put them on the run and their ranks are being decimated by the day.
“I am proud of our security forces, our men and women in uniform. Despite a myriad of security challenges, they are living up to the billing.
”As the terrorists and their camps are being decimated, thousands of terrorists and their families are surrendering in droves.
“The effectiveness of the security forces has been enhanced by the leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari and the unwavering commitment of the armed forces and its leadership,’’ he said.
The minister also attributed the successes to the procurement of modern platforms for the armed forces.
He said the modern platforms had gone a long way in raising the level of their operational readiness and efficiency, in addition to boosting their capabilities.
“Among others, the Nigerian Army has procured 160 MRAPS, 150 trucks and 60 APCs to improve its equipment holding.
“This is in addition to the provision of accommodation for troops and the recruitment of over 10,000 personnel into the Army.
“The Nigerian Navy (NN), for its part, commissioned the FALCON EYE Maritime Domain Awareness Capability, the third locally-built Seaward Defense Boat, one helicopter, 4 inshore patrol boats and 90 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats,’’ he said.
Mr Mohammed said over 1,500 personnel were recruited into the Navy during the year while the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) took delivery of 12 Super Tucanos and 3 JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft and other platforms.
He said the Air Force used the platforms to conduct several air interdictions, provide close air support to ground troops and destroy several illegal structures and equipment belonging to terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
The minister also commended the implementation of the community policing initiative which he said led to the training of 25,000 constabularies in several police colleges across the country.
He said the administration approved the review and upgrade of police personnel salaries by 20 per cent and enhanced duty tour allowance of police officers to boost their morale.
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