Following the resumption of train services in the Abuja-Kaduna route, last Monday, Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions.
While some said using a train is the most convenient, safest transportation system, at least, for now that bandits, terrorists have continued to unleash terror on road travellers, others expressed fear that rail transport is expensive, slow in operation and may be subject to all forms of criminal attack.
Although, passengers at Risa train station in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, yesterday, were excited following the resumption of the Kaduna-Abuja train service, they were constrained following the increase in ticket fares by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Security was observed to be tighter as more personnel were deployed to the station to avoid a repeat of past incidents.
Hundreds of passengers besieged the Rigasa rail station, trying to board trains to their destinations.
An estate agent, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, said at the Rigasa station, yesterday, that at least, for comfort, train service was more preferable.
According to him, since the Federal Government has put in place security operatives to curtail criminal activities, they only need prayers for sustainability.
Hajia Salamatu Danielle, who said she intended to reach Abuja, said she is no longer afraid of criminals or terrorists’ attack since there are more security operatives on ground.
According to her, she relies on train service than road transportation, since anything can happen along the way.
She called on the NRC to reduce the transport fare in order to accommodate more people who intend to travel this festive period.
However, Mallam Nasir Idris, said the slow pace at which trains move would not suit his travel to Abuja for work and return the same day.
According to him, he works in Abuja, returns to Kaduna every evening the same day.
He further expressed fear over ticket fares, adding that in most cases, he gets roadside vehicles at N1,000 to Abuja.
Mrs. James Alice, said the Federal Government should have compensated them in the first week of train services since passengers were victims of bandits attack on March 28, 2022.
According to her, even if the Federal Government had muted the ideas of increasing transportation fare, they could have allowed passengers to enjoy the service for at least two weeks, or reduced the fare to the barest minimum.
She noted that the increase might be to recover what they have lost since the train was suspended.
A shoemaker,Ali Danjuma, who said he has been traveling by train for a very long time, asked Nigerians to stop comparing train service with road or air transportation.
According to him, the comfort that accompanies train service is not found using road or air service, as train can stop at every station, while train business passengers can render services, other passengers can buy whatever they need while the cost of transportation can still be affordable.
Meanwhile, less than two months after the last batch of the 63 kidnapped victims of the Kaduna train attack in Kaduna were released, the victims are demanding compensation from the Federal Government to enable them to restart life.
Their demand is coming just 24hours after the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) resumed train operations on the Kaduna-Abuja route, eight months after it suspended operations following the attack that claimed the lives of nine passengers.
But the victims, who spoke to journalists in Kaduna, lamented that most of them lost their means of livelihood when they were in the custody of the terrorists who kidnapped them during the train attack.
“So, many of us have lost what we are doing and our source of income. As a citizen of this country, which I am very proud to be, I am expecting more from them (the government),” said one of the victims Mariam Idris.
“I am expecting them to come to our aid.”
They also claim that the Federal Government is yet to fulfil the promises made to them shortly after meeting with President MuhammaduBuhari upon their release in October, noting that most of them are already suffering from depression and psychological disorders that require urgent medical attention.
“Actually, they did collect our contacts that they would get back to us. But till now, nobody has said anything,” Mariam added.
“We are just living by His mercy because as of the time our family members realised ourselves in this mess, they have gone through difficulties – let’s be sincere.”
Mariam‘s tale is not different from that of Bala Mohammed, who said “nobody gave us a single kobo” even when some of them are having health challenges.
“The health challenge we are facing now is very critical,” he added.
While he thanked the Federal Government for rescuing them, Bala is asking for more.
“Our demand is that the Federal Government should come to our rescue because the trauma we are facing now is very critical,” he said.
“We don’t have money to go to the hospital to take care of our health.”