Families of kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna train passengers have vowed to picket Abuja and Kaduna train stations in protest of the planned resumption of operations on the axis.
This is due to the fact that the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, stated that the corporation was under pressure from Nigerians to resume operations along this axis.
Okhiria, speaking on an Arise News programme, stated that the NRC weighed its options before deciding to resume operations.
Some of those claiming to be relatives of captives were deemed to be false, and the NRC is in contact with the real ones, he said.
He said, “We have worked very hard in the last one month to the best we can do to ensure that those held hostage are released.
“We have been under pressure from Nigerians, mighty and low, to resume operations. They are those who want to benefit from a working train.
“We have weighed the pros and cons and can’t fold up the country.
“If you identify those people who are against the resumption and investigate them, you will discover that they are not related to those in captivity. We are talking to the families of those being held. As I said earlier, we are under tremendous pressure to resume operation.”
Reacting, leaders of the victims’ families under the umbrella of Relatives of AK9 Abuja-Kaduna Train Kidnapped Passengers, insisted that operations would not resume in the axis until their loved ones safely return.
One of the leaders of the group, Hassan Mohammed, said a peaceful protest would be held in Abuja and Kaduna for the NRC to rescind its decision.
He said, “We will hold peaceful protests both in Kaduna and Abuja to express our displeasure on the resumption of activities at the stations.
“We maintain and stand on everything we have said at the last briefing. They must not go ahead with their plans to commence operations.”
The spokesperson for the group, Idayat Yusuf, said it was inconsiderate for the NRC to announce the resumption of operation.
She said, “The whole world knows we have been patient. The railway in that axis cannot resume operation. They should not dare us.
“You have people who boarded your train and were kidnapped and are yet to regain their freedom, all you are concerned about is to resume operation? The NRC should have a rethink.”