The Federal government has made possession of National Identification Numbers (NIN) a condition to ride in the Abuja-Kaduna train, as the services on the route resume on Monday, December 5, 2022.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, gave the hint, saying the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) shall stop anybody without a National Identification Number from boarding.
The minister said 90% of the security measures needed are already in place before the start of services.
“I think we are 90 per cent ready as far as what we are set to do is concerned.
“The remaining 10 per cent, I am sure, would be achieved in the next couple of days for full resumption of train services.
“Your purchase of a ticket requires you to provide a phone number and a National Identification Number in order to profile, because that is the beginning of the security checks.
“So, at any point in time when a train moves from one station to another we know who and who are on board.
“If you don’t have a NIN, you are not going to board our train. It is as simple as that.
“If you are a minor, an adult will pay for you and will register for you and an adult can only register for not more than four minors,” Sambo said.
Confirming the resumption of the rail services, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, said all is almost set for the services to resume.
Okhiria urged Nigerians who wish to use the service to start upgrading their mobile apps on December 3, in order to successfully book the journey.
The NRC boss confirmed that the rail services would begin with two rail trips from Abuja to Kaduna and vice versa.
“AK 1 will depart Idu Station at 9:45am and arrive Rigasa Station at 11:53am.
“KA 2 will depart Rigasa at 8:00am and arrive Idu station at 10:17am.
“AK 3 will depart Idu Station at 3:30pm and arrive Rigasa Station at 5:38pm.
“And KA 4 will depart Rigasa at 2pm and arrive Idu Station at 4:07pm.”
He also assured the organization’s passengers of the Federal government’s commitment to preserving the safety of people and property on board its train at all times.