The Federal Government has disclosed that the Abuja-Kaduna train service will resume operations on May 23.

Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), spokesperson, Yakubu Mahmood, revealed this in a statement, on Monday.
March, the government suspended operations on the route after an attack on the train by gunmen.

Eight passengers died in the attack, while many were kidnapped.

Mahmood said the decision to resume operations does not mean efforts to secure the safe release of those abducted would be shelved.

“The government wishes to assure the relatives of the abducted citizens still in captivity that the safe rescue of these passengers is a top priority and not to misconstrue the resumption of train services, like abandonment or non-chalant attitude of the government towards their plight.
“The Federal Government will never abdicate its responsibility in rescuing these valuable citizens, however, the government assures of its resolve not to succumb to threats by any faceless group,” the statement read.

The decision to resume train services on the route comes amid reports that most of the kidnapped passengers are still being held captive by their abductors.

Families of the abducted passengers had also warned the Federal Government not to resume operations along the route until their loved ones were rescued.

Newspeak /Oluwayemisi Owonikoko