Repairs to the damaged section of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line will begin immediately, and the Federal Government is considering hiring locals to provide security in high-risk areas.
Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, made the announcement in Kaduna on Wednesday during a visit to victims of a gunman attack on a Kaduna-bound train.
Amaechi stated that, in response to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to repair and reopen the rail, the ministry has put plans in place to begin work immediately.
The minister also revealed that the Federal Government is developing plans to involve locals in communities where bandits operate along the rail.
He said the office of the National Security Adviser will be consulted to ensure that those that will be recruited for the service are people of integrity.
The hospitals he visited include the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna where 25 victims were said to have been admitted.
According to the chief medical officer of the hospital, out of the total number admitted, only seven people were remaining at the time of the visit.
At the St. Gerrard Catholic Hospital, eleven victims were admitted, out of which ten have been discharged, and one female currently receiving treatment.
One victim was said to have been brought dead according to the hospital management.