The Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR) has called on the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to stop night train operations following the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train on Monday evening.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NUR lamented that all its security observations expressed to the NRC management on improving the security and safety of the train service were not taken, especially its advice that night train service be stopped till the security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.
According to the statement signed by the Unions Secretary-General, Segun Esan, “We were shocked to the marrows when we were reached with the sad news of yet another terrorist attack on our Abuja – Kaduna passenger train which happened around 8 pm on Monday 28th March 2022.
“As a responsible union, we are completely touched and held in thrall that such a dastardly and unprovoked terrorist attack can befall the flagship and the essence of our operational existence as a Corporation for the second time in quick succession having tasted the gall of this terrorist attack on our passenger train in October 2021.
“We regret that there is no proof that all our observations expressed to the NRC management on improving the security and safety of the train service was taken especially our advice that night train service be stopped till security situation of the service is improved with on-train CCTV, explosives detectors and other technology-based approaches.
“We, therefore, use this medium to appeal very profusely to all Nigerian Railway workers in particular and to all Nigerian families whose members might have been affected in one way or the other by this terrorist attack.
In due course, the leadership of the Union will make a specific pronouncement on the unfortunate incident.
“Nevertheless, the Union is still gathering information and processing same analytically with a view to arriving at rational convergence leading to making a definite official pronouncement. Meanwhile, the President General and members of the Central Working Committee will visit AKTS very shortly in order to have a first-hand assessment of the incident.
“However, our prayers and heartfelt concern are with some of our Railway workers and other innocent commuting passengers who might have been tragically traumatized or sustained various degrees of wounds in the incident.
“We assure that, as responsible social partners for effective and efficient rail transport service in Nigeria, we will not relent on our patriotic quest in making railway truly and practically safe for all.”
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