The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has stated that the recent reduction in Abuja-Kaduna train services is a temporary measure, directly caused by the March 2022 terrorist attack and a recent derailment, not by managerial neglect.
In a statement issued by Chief Public Relations Officer Callistus Unyimadu, the corporation acknowledged passenger inconveniences but emphasized this period as one of “recovery, restoration, and rebuilding.”
Unyimadu explained that the 2022 attack led to a major overhaul of security protocols, including restricted late-night travel and enhanced collaboration with military and police forces.
He further noted that a derailment on August 26 significantly damaged key Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) coaches, reducing the fleet available for daily trips. Repairs and refurbishment are now urgently underway, alongside plans to deploy additional coaches to restore normal schedule frequency.
“The reduction in service frequency is not the result of neglect or indifference,” Unyimadu said. He reassured passengers of the corporation’s commitment, highlighting the Federal Government’s support under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ongoing efforts of the Minister of Transport to fast-track a full restoration of services.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
