Train services along the Kaduna-Abuja route have resumed operations after services were halted for eight months and seven days by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC.
Rail passengers were glad to be back on the tracks as they travelled from Kaduna to Abuja.
The suspension followed a terrorist attack that left at least 8 people dead, injured 26 others, and more than 60 passengers were kidnapped.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria who announced the resumption says only two return services will run for now, with an upward review in ticket prices.
The Rigassa train terminal is already wearing a new look and also has a heavy presence of armed security operatives, surveillance cameras have also been mounted on walls there to improve monitoring and safety.
One of the measures put in place to enhance security and safety of passengers is the mandatory requirement that they provide their National Identification Number before they are allowed to board the train.
The first train departed the station today at 8:00am and arrived the Idu terminal in Abuja at around 10 am.
Several seats were however empty in the 644 capacity train.
Our correspondent, Luper Asom reports that most of the passengers that boarded the early morning train were excited at the resumption, but called for more proactive security measures.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba has ordered an increased deployment of armed personnel for the commencement of railway services along the Abuja-Kaduna route.
The Federal Government has been working through the Nigerian Railways Corporation and Other stakeholders especially Security agencies to ensure the hitch free resumption of the Service.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railways Corporation has also been on the field with his supervising minister, Muazu Jaaji Sambo, who has been urging Nigerians to return to the use of the Train Service, assuring that the Tracks and Stations are now even more secure than before.
