The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to families of victims of train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line to allow the train service to resume.
MURIC made the appeal in a statement signed by its Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola and made available to newsmen on Friday morning.
Recall that terrorists had attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train on 28th March 2022. The attack led to the death of many passengers, while many more others were injured.
Worst still, the terrorists kidnapped many passengers and have been releasing their victims in batches after collecting huge ransom. Many are still held captive.
However, the families of the victims of the dastardly attack have kicked any attempts by the Nigerian Railway Corporation to resume operation on the Abuja-Kaduna route, according to reports.
And MURIC said that while it sympathises with families, the ugly incident must not be politicised. It called on the Federal Government to act fast and see that those still suffering in captivity regained their freedom.
The rights group said that thousands of Nigerians who need the railway services are being deprived of this dividend of democracy on a daily basis, calling for the immediate resumption of work.
“It has been a very sad and unfortunate incident and we solidarise with the victims and their families. But life must continue particularly in view of the large number of citizens who are suffering the consequences.
“This is where the families of the victims need to do a rethink and allow the resumption of the train services. One major reason for this is that the disruption only serves the interest of the bandits and that of enemies of Nigeria,” the group said, adding that those stopping the movement of train and rail activities are only punishing innocent Nigerians and not the President Muhammadu Buhari or the Federal Government.
“That is an integral part of Nigeria’s infrastructure. If anyone thinks he is depriving President Muhammadu Buhari of the joy of achievement in the area of railway transportation by disrupting train services, such a person is making a big mistake.
“Unfortunately, it is another vital part of the anatomy of the North that is bleeding,” MURIC said.
The Islamic rights group pointed out that other Nigerians were also being hit by the insecurity in the country, with people losing their dear ones everyday to kidnappers on a daily basis.
“The families of the victims of kidnapping and other attacks have never attempted to stop innocent Nigerians from enjoying the services of either a local or State government on account of such attacks,” the group noted.
It wondered why it is only in the case of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack that family members of the victims were turning on the government for a pound of flesh.
“We are, therefore, compelled to think there may be more to the train attack than meets the eyes,” it said, noting that since the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls and similar other cases in Borno State, school activities did not shut down.