Attack on railway lines

THE report on how bandits attacked a train in transit from Abuja to Kaduna recently has further buttressed the audacity and cruelty of these criminals.

The Kaduna-Abuja road has become dangerous and a nightmare to motorists and passengers compelling them to look for alternative safer routes. Many travellers have been forced to embrace train transportation, believing it to be safe.

With the exception of hitches experienced sometimes which lead the train to stop halfway into its journey, there has never been report of bandits attack since the time the train service was launched.

With the unfortunate attack and destruction of rail track by bandits, the train service which is being patronised by the ordinary people is not longer safe. Are there other alternatives for the travellers who follow the busiest road to the nation’s capital?

Some people may suggest air transport. However, the questions remain how many people can afford the flight tickets? Your guess is as good as mine, only the big men or the well to do individuals in the country.

Attacking and interrupting the train service for two days is a clear indication that the activities of the bandits have reached dangerous dimensions. Before, it was road, now the bandits have turned to train.

Unless government moves swiftly and declares total war against these criminals, one day even air transportation which remains the last option will be hijacked by them.

Since the time they began their campaign of terror, they have succeeded in destroying and cutting off farming, market and business activities in many states of the country, especially the north-west states where kidnapping and killing of ordinary people have become the order of the day.

The bandits or whoever attacked the train may likely come back for a repeat, hence, the need for the train to be fully monitored.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua,

Kaduna State.

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