The federal government has assured families whose relations are being held hostage by terrorists who attacked a Kaduna-bound train last week that it will do everything within its powers to rescue the victims.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, gave the assurance at the 2022 ministerial press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, the minister said the ministry had been in constant communication with the security agencies over the rescue of the victims.
He, however, noted that details of the engagement with the security agencies could not be disclosed so as not to jeopardise the operations.
Some families, who came to the ministerial briefing to protest against the government’s inability to rescue the victims 12 days, challenged the government to expedite action.
Speaking on some achievements of the ministry in 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, the minister said most of the ministry’s targets were being met.
He noted that the ministry had made significant improvements in maritime security, adding that Nigeria had exited the piracy list in Africa.
He also said the Bill for the National Transportation Commission (NTC) was before President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
“This will see the Nigerian Shippers Council transmute to the NTC,” Amaechi added.
