The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday at the site of the terrorists attack on Abuja-Kaduna bound train said about eight persons have so far been confirmed dead and 41 hospitalised in the attack.
Amaechi made this known while inspecting the scene of the attack, describing the situation as devastating.
”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 about 41 persons in different hospitals; the total number of passengers who got tickets is 398.
”So, we have had to wait on the security, the Kaduna State government, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation. They 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,” Amaechi said.
On the security sensors, Amaechi said its installation was delayed because of the rigorous procurement process.
”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. This is because there are drones, there are equipments 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.
”So for me, I am devastated and I honestly don’t know what to tell Nigerians anymore.”
The minister said it was not enough to have cameras inside the train; adding that a high-tech camera that would detect objects from afar was necessary.
”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, that there are unknown persons carrying guns.
”Then, we can take precaution. But we have done all we need to do in the ministry of transport and we have forwarded them for approval. But we have not gotten approval.
”The patrol vehicles are available but they cannot reach everywhere. For the areas the patrol can patrol, it will forestall.
”We are thinking about the possibility of employing natives until we get those equipment. We also need helicopters, beyond drones, we need helicopters,” Amaechi added.
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