The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned of a major scheme by bandits to assault the Abuja-Kaduna train service.
This was in a memo addressed to the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, which was leaked, and revealed by Vanguard. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/08/leaked-memo-bandits-will-attack-abuja-kaduna-train-soon-dss/#:~:text=The%20secret%20service%20in%20memo,to%20stop%20this%20from%20happening
The letter which was entitled, ‘Security Alert: Impending Threat By A Coalition Of Banditry Syndicate To Attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Along AKTS Corridor’, was signed by DSS Director of FCT Command, R.N. Adepemu.
The DSS’s confidential memorandum urged for an increased security presence at the Abuja-Kaduna train service, as there were indications that bandits were plotting to seize the train and kidnap the passengers for ransom.
The memo partly read: “Intelligence report indicates an impending threat to seamless train transportation along the Abuja – Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) The development is the sequel to the plot by a coalition of banditry syndicates to attack Abuja Kaduna Train Service aimed at kidnapping passengers on board for ransom any moment from now
“Given the threat inherent and the need to forestall likely breaches of security along the AKTS, it is advised that existing security arrangements be scaled up within and along the route. In addition, the need for the under-listed counter-security measures to be emplaced to nip in the bud the impending threats:
“Enhance the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (NPMF) operatives with a walkie-talkie to sustain escort services on trains; Deploy more Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with a walkie-talkie to provide escort duty;
“Crisis response team be established in the advent of attack for quick response time; Intelligence sharing amongst all relevant stakeholders.”
Although the threat is yet to be in the public domain. However, the DSS noted that the development is capable of heightening fears over the safety of lives and property amongst stakeholders and commuters of trail transportation along the AKTS corridor.
“Therefore, the need to discreetly manage this intelligence provided cannot be over-emphasized. This is particularly against the backdrop of fatal attacks along the routes which left casualties and victims hence, some passengers were killed as well as others abducted for several months before their eventual release.” The memo concluded.
It would be recalled that on March 28, 2022, an Abuja–Kaduna bound train was attacked in Katari village, Kaduna, prompting the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to briefly halt operations along the route.