The Federal Government has announced the resumption of the Abuja-Kaduna rail services (AKTS), following the completion of repairs on the track after the suspected terrorist attack on the tracks. The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi made the announcement while inspecting the facility between Rijana and Dutse route on Friday, saying the train services will resume on Saturday, October 23, 2021, adding that the Department of States Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Army have commenced efforts towards apprehending the perpetrators.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered service chiefs to ensure that the Anambra governorship election slated for November 6 is conducted hitch-free. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, while briefing journalists on Thursday about the outcome of the security meeting the service chiefs had with Buhari at the presidential villa, said the president gave the order in response to the heightened security challenges in Anambra. Monguno said, “The President has directed that under no circumstances will anything be allowed to stop the elections from taking place successfully. The people have a right to vote and select their leader. “No group or individual will be allowed to stimulate anarchy and chaos, leading to murderous activities.
“The President has made it very clear that the Armed Forces and all law enforcement agencies must make sure that the elections take place even if it means overwhelming the entire environment with the presence of security agencies. “There are so many implications for elections to be sabotaged by non-state actors; in the first place, we are in a democracy, secondly it is important to note that if these non-state actors should succeed in destroying the potentials for orderly elections, then it is natural that other parts of the country would also want to copy this same situation.”

Sequel to reports that suspected bandits reportedly bombed a train travelling between Abuja-Kaduna, inflicting technical damages on the country’s major rail infrastructure the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has indefinitely suspended all train services along the route. This is to guarantee safety of passengers and crew members while efforts were being put in place to ensure absolute safety along the route. NRC’s managing director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, who confirmed the attack, said the explosives inflicted damages on the rail tracks somewhere between Dutse and Rijana. “There was an explosive on our rail track somewhere around Rijana and Dutse last night, and this damaged the tracks. “Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure that the train services along the Kaduna-Abuja route are fully restored,”

Personnel of the Nigerian Police have reportedly arrested some persons who came out to protest on the anniversary of the alleged shooting at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos. One of those reportedly arrested, a journalist with LegitTV claimed that his mobile phone, driver’s license and other documents were taken away from him. It was gathered that the journalist identified as Abimbola, was picked after failing to present his identification card. The Lagos State commissioner of police, Hakeem Odumosu have earlier warned against any protests but that car procession around Lekki would be allowed. Comedian popularly called Mr. Macaroni and musician Falz had on Monday declared that protests will hold despite the warning by the police.

The Lagos State Judicial Panel on Restitution for Victims of Special Anti-Robbery Squad Related Abuses and other matters on Monday awarded N128.2m as compensation to 24 petitioners. The panel ended its almost 12 months sitting. According to the chairman of the panel Doris Okuwobi, the panel heard 186 petitions from 252 petitioners. She said cases not opened and unconcluded would be sent to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice for consideration on the future body that would handle human rights violations in the state. Mrs. Okuwobi advised the police to further investigate two officers, identified as Bawa and Salisu, attached to the Ojo police station. She did not give details of what the policemen committed. Concerning Pelumi Onifade’s petition vs state environmental task force, Mrs. Okuwobi said “petition adjourned sine die to await recommendations of the panel on the unheard petition.”

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) have announced the resumption of the 2020 recruitment exercise of 10,000 constables, which was earlier suspended. This was disclosed on Saturday in a statement by NPF spokesman, Frank Mba titled, “NPF, PSC set to conclude 2020 recruitment exercise”. According to the statement, candidates are advised to check their status on the recruitment portal, www.policerecruitment.gov.ng which will be accessible from Monday, October 18 to Tuesday, October 26, 2021.