Kaduna-Abuja train attack: I warned lives would be lost ― Amaechi

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, says he requested for necessary digital security and crime prevention equipment to prevent attacks on the rail line and tracks that could lead to loss of lives and property before the terrorists’ attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train on Monday.

Amaechi, who stated that his request was not granted, said he warned about possible attacks on the rail line and tracks before the tragic incident on Monday.

The minister made this known on Tuesday while speaking to newsmen after visiting the scene of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack.

The former governor of Rivers State further expressed displeasure over the incident, which he claimed could have been averted with the installation of relevant digital security equipment.

Amaechi said: “We knew what the problem would be. We knew we needed to have digital security equipment.

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“We applied for it. Because if we had those equipment, you will see nobody on that track. And I warned that lives will be lost. Now, lives are lost. Eight persons dead, 25 persons in the hospital.”

The minister added that the Federal Government would spend more than N3 billion to fix all things lost in the Monday night attack.

He stated: “We don’t know how many persons have been kidnapped. And the cost of that equipment is just N3 billion. The cost of what we’ve lost is more than N3 billion.

“We’ve lost tracks, we’ve lost locomotives and coaches. We’ve lost human beings. And the equipment is just N3 billion.

“To fix all the things on that track now, will cost us more than N3 billion. And now even the things we said give us approval to buy – at the time we asked for it, dollar was N400, now it is N500.

“When you come with sincerity to government and your colleagues and people are stopping you, it is annoying.”

The Star