Nigerian Police commences 24-hour air surveillance on Abuja-Kaduna highway

The Police on Saturday has started 24-hour air surveillance on Abuja-Kaduna highway following increase of traffic on the road.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, Abuja, Alhaji Salisu Fagge, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday that the measure was part of efforts at ensuring safety of travellers on the road.

Traffic on the Abuja-Kaduna road is expected to be high from now till the next six weeks due to the shift of air transport services from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Kaduna Airport.

The Abuja airport was closed on Wednesday for upgrade of some critical facilities, especially the runway.

Fagge said that the commissioners of police in Kaduna, Niger and Federal Capital Territory, comprising the zone, have been directed to put adequate measures in place to contain any security threat on the road and beyond.

He gave assurance that the zone would continue to adopt proactive security strategies against any form of security threat in the area.

Sufficient personnel have been deployed to provide security in the zone, he said.

He assured travellers on the highway that there is “no course for alarm”.

“We are patrolling the entire area on air and land against any form of security threats.

“We will continue to map out comprehensive security measures that will enable us apprehend all kinds of criminals.

“We have identified and deployed armed security personnel to dangerous spots for that purpose,” the AIG said.

He called for the support of traditional rulers and stakeholders in sensitising residents to volunteer information that would aid security agencies in apprehending criminals in their midst.

 

Source: NAN

British, South African Airways Reject Kaduna Airport

South African Airways and British Airways have informed the Nigerian government of their final decision not to use the Kaduna airport as an alternative when the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja will be closed for repair works.

According to reports, both airlines wrote to the government. They cited safety and security of passengers, lack of catering services as well as ”adequate’ technology as their reason for not using the Kaduna airport.

The Abuja airport is expected to be shut from March 6th.

Abuja-Kaduna Train For Launch May– Amaechi

The minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said the Abuja-Kaduna rail project is 100 per cent completed and will be launched in May.

Mr. Amaechi announced this at Idu, Abuja, on Thursday, while inspecting the project along with the contractors, China Civil Engineering Construction Company.

According to him, before the launch by President Muhammadu Buhari, the rail would be test-run in March, adding that during that period, passengers will board for free.

“The essence of my tour is to enable us assess whether we are ready for commercial activities and I think we are. I will be travelling from Abuja to Kaduna tomorrow through the rail.

“In March, they should start the test-run of the rail services for free, then the proper commercial activity will start in May, where we expect the president to flag-off the use of coaches,” he said.

He said N150 billion would be used to execute the national rail project, with another N60 billion for the Lagos-Kano standard gauge and yet another N60 billion for the Lagos-Calabar project.

Credit:PremiumTimes