Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) sympathises with Nigerians over the callous attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train last night.
The attack, which was followed by deaths, injury, and abduction of yet unspecified number of passengers, is not only unfortunate and unacceptable but also a sad reminder of the descent into the abyss of the security situation, especially in that part of the country, has fallen.
Nobody or group has the right to continuously subject people to this kind of reign of terror, dehumanising them and seemingly getting away with it.
While the Institute appreciates the gallant role being played by our armed forces and other security and law enforcement agencies to square up to the bandits perpetrating these heinous acts, it is clear that a lot more needs to be done to inspire the confidence of the people.
The earlier attack on the same route, which occurred in October last year, ought to have served as a wake-up call for the system to be more proactive to forestall what was a not so unexpected occurrence, given the seeming overreliance of commuters on the train service as a safer alternative to plying the Abuja-Kaduna road.
There’s a very urgent need for our security agencies to restrategise and get on top of the situation rather than wait to react.
The government, on its part, must spare no effort in continuing to provide the armed forces and security agencies with all logistical requirements to enable them to up the ante in this must-win war.
The intelligence-gathering processes must also be given a shot in the arm to enable the agencies to get ahead of these criminals in all ways imaginable.
The NIPR expresses its heartfelt condolences to families of the deceased, Federal and Kaduna State governments, prayers for the prompt rescue of those abducted, as well as speedy recovery for the injured.
Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, fnipr
President/ Chairman, Governing Council
