The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a concerning security alert to the Nigeria Railway Corporation regarding a potential threat posed by bandits targeting the Abuja-Kaduna train link. The memo, signed by the Director of the DSS FCT Command, R.N. Adepemu, warned of an impending attack on the train service and urged passengers to exercise vigilance and caution.
This alarming warning follows a previous terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service that took place on March 28, 2022, leading to a temporary suspension of train trips along the corridor. The new alert underscores the persistent security challenges faced by the train service and its passengers.
The DSS’s communication titled ‘Security Alert: Impending Threat by a Coalition of Banditry Syndicate to Attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Along AKTS Corridor’ outlines the potential danger. According to the intelligence report, there is credible information suggesting a plot by a coalition of bandit groups to target the train service, with the aim of kidnapping passengers for ransom.
To counter this threat and enhance the security of passengers and infrastructure, the DSS recommends a range of security measures that should be implemented along the Abuja-Kaduna train route. These measures include:
1. Air surveillance patrol
2. Surveillance of the rail track
3. Military and police checkpoints and patrols
4. Security raid operations in specific areas
5. Enhanced escort services by the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (NPMF) operatives
6. Increased deployment of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with walkie-talkies for escort duty
7. Establishment of a crisis response team for swift action during an attack
8. Intelligence sharing among relevant stakeholders
The DSS emphasizes the importance of discreetly managing the intelligence provided, as the threat has not yet become public knowledge. The security agency highlights the history of fatal attacks along the route, resulting in casualties and abductions. The urgency of the situation underscores the need for comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of passengers and the smooth operation of the train service.
As passengers and stakeholders await further developments and the implementation of the recommended countermeasures, the DSS’s alert serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by criminal elements in the region.
