President Muhammadu Buhari strongly condemned the bombing of the passenger train, describing it as a “matter of grave concern in a press release signed by Mr Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and  Publicity. He said  the President commended the law enforcement agencies for their prompt response and emergency personnel who were responsible for the evacuation  and treatment of the injured persons.

He stated that President Buhari has directed the immediate conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line, extending it to cover the Lagos-Ibadan railway line as well.

The President, “like most Nigerians, is deeply pained by this occurrence, the second of its type, which has resulted in the death of a yet to be determined number of passengers and others who suffered injuries. The President described  the attack on the train, a safe means of transport to many, as callous as he says that, “our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured,” as he  directs the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) management to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay.

Meanwhile, the board and management of NRC said they deeply regret the dastardly act of attack on the Abuja – Kaduna Train service (AKTS).   In a press release signed by Mr Yakubu Mahmood the, deputy director of public relations, he said the irresponsible act of threatening the lives of peaceful law abiding Nigerians with deliberate destruction of federal government critical infrastructure will not be condone  as all hands are now on deck to fish out the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the extant law of the land.

He stated that the NRC management commends the arm forces of the federal republic of Nigeria and Kaduna State government, for their swift intervention towards salvaging the situation by rescuing our esteemed passenger on board. Mahmood stated further that the management of NRC reassures  the  general public and their valued passengers of the resolve to intensify, security and safety of the train stations routes through the deployment of security apparatus and further collaboration with security agencies to forestall its reoccurrence.

Story by Clementina Olomu