Crime

Troops Nab Mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack

By Web News 351

The Defence Headquarters says that troops of Operation Whirl Punch, have arrested three terrorists at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to the military high command, one of the arrested terrorists confessed to being one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022, Abuja- Kaduna train attack which left nine passengers dead and scores of others kidnapped.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, who disclosed this in a statement, added that troops mobilised to the location on Valentine’s Day and recovered two motorcycles, two mobile phones, the sum of $5,000 and some other currencies.

The statement read:  “Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Punch on February 14, 2023, responded to information on the presence of Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province kingpins at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

“Subsequently, troops mobilized to the location and arrested 3 terrorists. One of the terrorists arrested was identified as one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack on the Abuja Kaduna Train Services.

“Following the operation, troops recovered 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, the sum of five thousand Dollars ($5,000) as well as some other currency and other sundry items.”

“Also, on February 16, 2023, troops on fighting patrol made contact with terrorists at Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Following fire fight, troops neutralized 7 terrorists while others fled.”

Danmadami said on February 20, 2023, troops on fighting patrol to Gada Oli Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, recovered two AK 47 rifles, four magazines, 66 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and seven BH/ISWAP terrorist flags.

He stated that troops in the North West zone recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 238 rounds of 7.62mm special, two locally fabricated rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, seven magazines, 19 motorcycles, mobile phones, 30 rustled cattle and other sundry items, adding that troops neutralized 23 terrorists and arrested nine as well as rescued 23 abducted civilians.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Transportation

Abuja-Kaduna Train Services Resume Tuesday

By Web News 466

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, says Train services along the Abuja-Kaduna rail service will resume on Tuesday, January 31.

Services along the route were suspended on Friday,27 due to a derailment at the Kubwa axis of the route.

A statement by the Director Operations of NRC, Niyi Ali, indicates that the schedule for resumption is as follows:

The first train will leave Rigasa in Kaduna at 7am, while the departure from Idu is at 10 am.

Another train will depart Rigasa at 2pm while the final departure time from Idu is 4pm.

According to Mr Ali,  on Wednesdays, only one train will depart Rigasa at 7am and another will depart Idu at 4pm.

It adds that the Corporation once again regrets any inconvenience passengers may have experienced as a result of the temporary suspension of the service.

 FRCN Abuja / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Security

Abuja-Kaduna Train: FG Refuses Terrorists’ Demands

By Web News 555

There are indications that negotiations between the Federal Government and terrorists, who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train on March 28, have stalled following the refusal of the government to accede to their demands.

The terrorists are keeping about 100 passengers, who were abducted from the train, which derailed at Katari, Kaduna, after it was bombed.

Eight persons were killed and 26 others injured when gunmen attacked the train and kidnapped the victims.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, said it was unable to establish contact with 163 of the passengers and seven crew members, who boarded the train.

It was gathered that the demand by the attackers for the release of 16 of their commanders and sponsors in custody in exchange for the abducted victims was not acceptable to the government.

Security sources said the authorities were still negotiating with the terrorists, while exploring other options to rescue the abductees, who were seen in a viral video sitting under a tree at an unknown location, believed to be the bandits’ camp.

Our correspondent gathered on Friday that the government was also not ready to pay ransom on the abductees.

The Punch

Security

Security Operatives Fail To Avert Attack On Abuja-Kaduna Train Service

By Web News 588

Security operatives have failed to avert an attack on Abuja-Kaduna train service by a terrorist group, Darul Salam, despite the interception, two days earlier.

Reports, the terrorists first attacked the train on Wednesday night and successfully immobilized it after struggling to move for 7km after the attack.

The terrorists, according to the sources, returned again on Thursday morning to plant an explosive device on the rail track, but the train surmounted the hurdle to reach the terminus.

Security personnel reports that communications between a notorious bandit Baffa and his associate Bala hide their real names were intercepted.

The report, dated October 19, 2021, and entitled “PLANNED ATTACK ON TRAIN AROUND RIJANA, KADUNA STATE”, said the terrorists were heard discussing the planned attack by Darul Salam terrorists in concert with two bandit kingpins, Danlami and Lawan, not real names.

“Baffa informed Bala that members of Darussalam, Boko Haram, in collaboration with bandits led by Danlami and Lawan are currently on their way to plant a bomb at a bridge on the railway in Rijana to hijack a moving train and kidnap the passengers.

Reports say that Baffa said he decided not to participate in the operation because, it was risky but, believed that Danlami and Lawan would blow up the bridge, but no proactive measures by the security agencies were taken to abort the attack.

A spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mohammed Jalige, declined comment on the matter, saying the railway infrastructure and its security are under the command of a commissioner of police in charge of railways.

The commissioner of police in charge of railways, Oyediran Oyeyemi, who was contacted on the matter directed newsmen to the force spokesman, Frank Mba for further inquiries.

Mr Mba is yet to respond to the situation after all efforts to reach him had failed.

 Nafiu  Busari