Kaduna train attack caused by failure to act on intelligence, says Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, says the attack on a train in Kaduna was a result of intelligence failure.

 

The former Anambra governor said the security agencies “ignored” warning signs and information of a possible attack on such a scale.

 

Obi made the comment on Sunday at a town hall meeting organised for presidential candidates in Abuja.

 

The presidential town hall series is an initiative of Arise Television and the Centre for Democracy and Development.

 

Speaking during the panel session, the LP candidate criticised the federal government for not doing enough to prevent the train attack.

 

On March 28, an attack on a train on its way to Kaduna from Abuja resulted in killings, injuries and abductions.

 

A total of 61 persons were said to have been kidnapped during the attack.

 

All the victims were eventually released at various intervals, with the latest batch freed on October 5.

 

Speaking on the incident, Obi said: “I believe there was a failure of intelligence processing. Because before it happened, from information available, there were already reports of insecurity on the corridor, as well as previous attempts that were ignored.”

 

The LP presidential candidate said if he’s elected president in February 2023, he will take responsibility for the security challenges of the country.

 

“As president and commander in chief, the decision and the buck stops on my desk. I will be responsible to all Nigerians. I will be in charge,” he added.

 

Rabiu Kwakwanso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Kola Abiola, the standard bearer of the Peoples Redemption Party, were also in attendance at the town hall.

 

However, Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, and Atiku Abubakar, the standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, failed to show up.