DSS warns of plan to attack Kaduna-Abuja train again in leaked memo

A leaked memo of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Abuja, has warned of another planned attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train, according to a report by SaharaReporters.

The news medium had reported that an Abuja–Kaduna bound train was attacked in Katari village, Kaduna, on March 28, 2022, prompting the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to suspend operations along the route.

However, in the leaked letter signed by DSS Director of FCT Command, R.N. Adepemu, entitled, ‘Security Alert: Impending Threat By A Coalition Of Banditry Syndicate To Attack Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Along AKTS Corridor’, the secret police urged train passengers to be vigilant.

The secret memo stated that a coalition of bandit gangs was plotting to attack the Abuja-Kaduna train to kidnap passengers on board for ransom any moment from now.

The memo partly read: “Intelligence report indicates an impending threat to seamless train transportation along the Abuja – Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) The development is sequel to the plot by a coalition of banditry syndicates to attack Abuja Kaduna Train Service aimed at kidnapping passengers on board for ransom any moment from now

“In view of the threat inherent and the need to forestall likely breaches of security along the AKTS, it is advised that existing security arrangements be scaled up within and along the route. In addition, the need for the under-listed counter-security measures to be emplaced to nip in the bud the impending threats:

“Air surveillance patrol; Surveillance on the rail track; Military checkpoint/patrol; Police checkpoint/patrol; Security raid operations be carried out around Byazhin, Jibi, as well as Lja forest.

“Enhance the Nigeria Police Mobile Force (NPMF) operatives with a walkie-talkie to sustain escort services on trains; Deploy more Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with a walkie-talkie to provide escort duty;

“Crisis response team be established in the advent of attack for quick response time; Intelligence sharing amongst all relevant stakeholders.”

DSS, however, noted that although the threat had yet to be in the public domain, the development was capable of heightening fears over the safety of lives and property among stakeholders and commuters of train transportation along the AKTS corridor.

“Therefore, the need to discreetly manage this intelligence provided cannot be over-emphasized. This is particularly against the backdrop of fatal attacks along the routes which left casualties and victims hence, some passengers were killed as well as others abducted for several months before their eventual release,” it said.