Connect with us

News

Amaechi claims Nigeria is in dire need of drones, helicopters to tackle insecurity on rail track

Published

on

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has said Monday’s terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna rail route would have been averted if there were drones and helicopters to carry out surveillance along the corridor.

This is even as the Minister said the Ministry of Transportation has made presentation to the federal government for the procurement of security equipment, regretting however that the Ministry was yet to get approval.

Amaechi stated these on Tuesday while leading top officials of the Ministry on an inspection of the scene of the incident.

Addressing newsmen, a visibly worried Amaechi said, “we need helicopters and drones. We are thinking about the possibility of employing natives until we get that equipment.

Advertisement

“We have not been able to install security sensors because the procurement process is a bit difficult. It is typical of Nigerians.

“The process is tedious, the approval is also tedious. We have not been able to get the approval that will lead to the purchase of those items.

“If those items were here, drones alone will tell you that there are people around the rail tracks. There are equipment that picks sensors if you touch the track, but unfortunately, the process has not been able to get us that approval for us to import those items.

“The cameras in the train cannot pick what is happening outside. What you need is a camera that shows 100 metres away from the train. We have done all we need to do in the Ministry of Transportation and we have forwarded it to them for approval but we have not gotten approval.

ALSO READ  Fayemi defends security vote, insists governors fund police more than FG

“The equipment we lost will cost about N3bn and we are about to place order for the ones in Lagos.”

Advertisement

Amaechi warned of the dangers to come if security devices were not urgently procured to save lives on rail routes across the country.

“Even if they get us approval, it will take some months to acquire them from overseas, to install them. We need to do that to enable us see from Kaduna-Abuja, Itakpe-Warri, and from Lagos-Ibadan what is going on so that we don’t continue to lose lives because lives are important. If we had gotten the approval, we would have saved the N3billion and saved lives.”

While affirming the death of eight persons as a result of the attack, Amaechi said it is difficult to tell the number of missing persons, saying, “we don’t have all the figures of missing persons, kidnapped and those injured at the moment.

“The numbers we have is that there are eight casualties. There are 25 persons in the hospital and the total number of passengers are 398. So, we have to wait. The security agency, the Kaduna state government, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation are all trying to make contact with those on the manifest.

“There are few persons who are not on the manifest like the staff of the NRC, staff of the cleaning contractor. They are not on the manifest and we may not be able to completely account for them but for those on the manifest, calls are being made to reach them.”

Advertisement
ALSO READ  Document reveals Nigerian Ports Authority boss, Koko, bought £1.75Million London property

Coming short of asking citizens to understand the situation, the Minister added, “I am devastated and I honestly don’t know what to tell Nigerians anymore.”

Also speaking, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engr. Fidel Okhiria said
“it is a very sad and unfortunate situation we have at our hands. Right from time when these things started happening on the roads, the only succour our people had were the trains.”

He urged the people to help the NRC identify criminals bent on wrecking havoc on innocent Nigerians using rail transportation system as their preferred mode of transport.

Following Monday night’s attack on a Kaduna-bound train by terrorists which left about eight people dead, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC has suspended services on the Abuja-Kaduna train corridor till further notice.

In a post on its official Twitter handle, @official_NRC, the corporation noted: “Dear passengers, due to unforeseen circumstances, train operation along the Abuja-Kaduna route has been temporarily suspended. Further communication would be given in due course.”

Advertisement

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Yahaya Bello honours EFCC invitation after consulting family

Published

on

Yahaya Bello honours EFCC invitation

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has honoured the EFCC’s invitation after consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies. The EFCC declared him wanted over allegations of fraud during his time in office.

 

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after careful consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.

The EFCC had earlier declared him wanted over allegations of fraud and corrupt enrichment during his tenure in office.

 

Advertisement

Also read: Yahaya Bello loses bid to hear N80bn fraud case in Kogi

 

In a statement released by his media office on Wednesday, Yahaya Bello explained his decision to engage with the EFCC, citing his respect for the rule of law.

He emphasised that his legal team had been representing him in court to ensure due process in all proceedings related to the case.

Bello highlighted his commitment to clearing his name, stating that he has nothing to hide and fully supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria.

He also noted that during his governorship, he was the first to introduce an anti-corruption mechanism in Kogi State, aimed at preventing graft and ensuring state resources were used for the benefit of the people.

Advertisement

Accompanied by high-profile Nigerians, Bello urged the EFCC to act professionally and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen. Further details of his meeting with the EFCC are expected to be shared in due course.

ALSO READ  Rotimi Amaechi declares presidential race bid

Continue Reading

Religion

IK Ogbonna condemns fake miracles by Nigerian pastors

Published

on

Fake miracles by Nigerian pastors

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has condemned fake miracles by Nigerian pastors, warning that their deceptive practices harm Christianity and manipulate believers for personal gain.

Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has raised concerns over the increasing number of Nigerian pastors performing fake miracles. In an Instagram post, he described these actions as a serious betrayal of the true essence of Christianity.

He highlighted how the deception not only damages the church’s reputation but also manipulates vulnerable believers, exploiting their faith for personal profit.

 

Also read: “6 different pastors extorted money from me, took advantage of my desperation” – Jim Iyke reveals

 

Advertisement

Ogbonna emphasised that such fraudulent acts have severe consequences, including broken trust, shattered lives, and distorted faith.

He called on pastors engaged in these practices to reflect on their actions, urging them to stop using God’s name for falsehood, which he termed a direct betrayal of the gospel.

He also called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to implement stricter regulations and accountability for those posing as pastors.

According to Ogbonna, Christianity should remain rooted in truth, love, and humility, not be used for manipulation or financial gain.

He urged Christians to remember that true miracles cannot arise from deception and urged believers to protect the integrity of their faith.

Advertisement

ALSO READ  Forex crisis: CBN issues fresh guidelines to tackle currency speculation, hoarding
Continue Reading

Education

Lagos state government announces increase in boarding fees for model colleges

Published

on

Lagos State boarding fee increase

The Lagos State Government has increased boarding fees in model colleges to N100,000 per term, citing improved student welfare as the reason.

 

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced an increase in boarding fees for its model colleges, effective from the 2024/2025 academic session.

According to a statement released by Mr Ganiu Lawal, Deputy Director of Public Affairs for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the adjustment is necessary to improve the welfare of students in public boarding schools across the state.

 

Advertisement

Also read: Rotary Club of Ikeja-Alausa plants trees in Lagos school

 

Lawal explained that the N35,000 fee, which has been in place since 2021, is no longer sustainable due to rising costs.

The newly approved fee of N100,000 will be implemented from the resumption of the 2024/2025 session in September 2024.

The Ministry recognises that the decision has faced criticism from some parents but emphasised the importance of ensuring students’ welfare, including proper nutrition and other essential services such as energy costs for cooking.

The fees, paid every term, are allocated for feeding, janitorial services, and other costs necessary for maintaining the hostels.

Advertisement

Lawal highlighted the numerous benefits students in Lagos model colleges receive, including free tuition, education infrastructure, technology support, and payment of terminal examination fees, such as WAEC.

He added that the state government remains considerate with the increase when compared to similar institutions across Nigeria.

ALSO READ  Rotimi Amaechi declares presidential race bid

The Ministry urged parents to understand the rationale behind the increase and to cooperate for the benefit of the children.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 TheHeute.