President Buhari Meets Service Chiefs, Issues Fresh Directives After Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack by bandit terrorists on a train travelling from Kaduna to Abuja.

Describing Monday’s attack and attackers as callous, the President in his reaction on Tuesday directed the security agencies to ensure all the terrorists are brought to book.

He said he is deeply pained by the occurrence but insisted that no person or group will be allowed to hold Nigeria to ransom.

President Buhari was quoted in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu to have made the declaration during a meeting with security chiefs at the statehouse in Abuja where he was briefed about Monday’s attack by bandit terrorists on a train bound for Abuja from Kaduna.

The President received briefs from the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, as well as Major General Samuel Adebayo, the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi in the State House.

He also extended condolence messages to the families of those affected by the attack and ordered security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of kidnapped persons.

Describing the incident as a “matter of grave concern,” Buhari ordered the security chiefs to ensure the security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja-Kaduna rail line is implemented as soon as possible while he also directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to urgently repair the damaged rail track.

“Additionally, the President charged the law enforcement chiefs to bring back all passengers kidnapped and ensure that each of the callous terrorists are hunted down and made to face justice for their heinous acts as no one or group should be allowed to make the country prostrate,” Garba quoted Buhari to have said in the statement.

“No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom,” he added.

“Like most Nigerians, I am deeply pained by its occurrence, the second of its type, which has resulted in the death of a yet to be determined number of passengers and others who suffered injuries.

“The attack on the train, a safe means of transport to many, is callous; and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured.”

President Buhari in the statement also commended the prompt response of the security agents and other emergency personnel after the attack.

He also reiterated his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists. He asked them to be more decisive and not spare anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.