The house of representatives has resolved to investigate the
attack on a train in Kaduna state.
The lawmakers will also investigate the recent attack at
Kaduna airport which resulted in the death of a security guard.
The decision of the green chamber followed the adoption of a
motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Nnaji Nnolim, a lawmaker from
Enugu state.
The train on its way from Abuja to
Kaduna was attacked by gunmen in the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna state on
Monday night. The train was said to have almost reached Rigasa, its final stop.
The gunmen were said to have blown up the rail track after
which they launched an attack on the passengers.
Contributing to the motion during plenary on Tuesday, Aminu
Suleiman, a lawmaker from Kano, said: “I never believed that this incident
really happened.
“It surprises me and truly troubles me as a person that this thing could happen in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This thing that happened – that truly happened – actually challenged us as a nation.
“I think these bandits have taken these deliberate killings
to the sovereignty of this country, far beyond what we can comprehend. So, we
must accept collective failure. We must present a very formidable front as a
house to ensure that these things do not happen again. And for it not to
happen, somebody somewhere must be held responsible.”
Onofiok Luke, a lawmaker from Akwa Ibom, said too much
priority has been given to “political activities” while little attention is
paid to the security of lives and properties.
“It is saddening that we can have a security breach to a
point of infraction in the airport. It is quite saddening,” he said.
“We have had our train and our rail affected just some few
hours ago. We seem to be involved in so many political activities as of present
but there are critical issues affecting the lives of Nigerians. We seem to be
involved in 2023 (general elections).
“My call this morning is for every one of us, from the
executive to the legislature, from the federal to the state and local
governments, to come together for us to proffer solutions and provide security
for Nigerians, which is the primary objective of government. Those who used to
go to Kaduna by road became challenged because of kidnappings on the
Abuja-Kaduna road. Then, the railway and trains came but they are being
challenged today.”
PROBE BEGINS
WEDNESDAY
To investigate the matter, the lawmakers have invited
Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA); Bashir Magashi, minister of
defence; Isiaka Amao, chief of air staff; Yusuf Bichi, director-general,
Department of State Service (DSS); Alkali Baba, inspector-general of police
(IGP); Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation and Rotimi Amaechi, minister of
transportation.
The director-general, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority;
managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), managing
director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), general manager and
Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) are also expected to appear before the
lawmakers.
The government officials are to appear before the leadership
of the house and committees on aviation, national security, police, army, airforce,
defence and land transport.
The sitting of the committees is expected to commence on
Wednesday, March 30.
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