Passengers who plan to travel by train should get their National Identity Number (NIN) ready, since it will be required starting in May, according to the Railway Corporation.
Mr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), indicated in Abuja on Thursday, April 14, that the NIN will be required to improve passenger profile.
This, he continued, will also improve rail riders’ safety and security.
“The process of linking passengers to their NIN for improved profiling is ongoing. This layer of passenger screening will commence by May.
“The Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) will resume as soon as possible with additional security measures put in place,’’ Okhiria stated.
Following a March 28 attack by gunmen who harmed passengers and kidnapped several; the Railway Corporation halted the Abuja-Kaduna line.
Okhiria stated that security officials were working round the clock to ensure that all abducted passengers were rescued and released.
He emphasised that when the train was assaulted, 362 passengers and 20 crew members were on board.
“While we continue to sympathise with families of those who lost or have not seen their loved ones; we encourage anyone still looking for a loved one to please call us.
“The numbers to call are: 08033546208, 08060044600 and 07066700150.
“The corporation will continue to update the general public of the latest developments,’’ he stated.
Okhiria added that the NRC had re-railed the last rolling stock affected in the attack.
“This means that all the 14 de-railed rolling stock (11 coaches, two rescue coaches; and one Locomotive engine on the Rescue Train) have all been re-railed from the incident site to our stations at Idu, Abuja and Rigasa, Kaduna.
“Intensive track repair work continues at the site. An advanced level of track repairs has been achieved and hopefully it will be rounded off in 10 days,’’ he explained.
“The NRC expresses its profound gratitude to security agencies for the continued support, especially for the security cover availed our officials and staff at the incident site,’’ Okhiria stated.
