.. As Train Runs Out of Diesel, Breaks Down
By Gbenga Sodeinde
Human Rights Activists, and NBA NEC Member, Falade Samuel Olakanmi has lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) government for what he described as insensitive attitude on the part of government.
The activist attacked government on the heels of an unfortunate accident leading to a train being stranded with several passengers heading to Lagos from Ibadan being left stranded in the bush for over an hour after the train conveying them ran out of diesel few days ago. More embarrassing was the fact that some of the passengers were seen sitting on the rail track while lamented the situation.
A reliable source who pleaded anonymity for fear of witch-hunt, disclosed that the incident happened around Abeokuta axis of Ogun State, adding that: “The train took off from Ibadan this morning, heading to Lagos. It was when it got to somewhere in Abeokuta that the incident happened. My colleague’s sister, who happened to be on board, was left stranded for more than an hour.’
“According to her, passengers were made to understand that the train had run out of diesel. We are in a delicate period in which incidents like this are not supposed to be happening. What if the passengers got attacked by criminals and ritualists?”
Describing the development as a sad reality of the failure of the Buhari/APC led government, Falade said the incumbent President has been running the affairs of the country with kids’ gloves.
Falade who spoke with heritagenewsng insisted that no excuse is tenable from the government for the negligence.
According to him, “This sad development shows how insensitive, and directionless the current government has been. They have obviously not been putting the insecurity in this country into consideration. Such a development like is unhealthy and uncalled for.
“I would have kept quiet, but this was the second time in this year that such an ugly situation woulr happen. In January 31, at exactly 9am, it was reported that the trained developed a mechanical fault few kilometres to Zaria in Kaduna State and the passengers travelling from Kano to Lagos on the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s train service were left stranded while some were seen treckking into far distance in the bush.
“This has really exposed the government’s carelessness about the security of lives and properties of the people, owing to.the negligence and insensitive attitude of the government. Who is now safe in the country now?, when passengers can no longer be sure whether the train would take them to their destination safely?
“”This situation has exposed the passengers’ lives to danger . And most the painful thing is that the government pretended to be unaware of this situation and looked the other way, This is shameful, unhealthy, and uncalled for, and should not be allowed to continue.”. He added.
Falade therefore called on the government to take seriously, the security of lives and properties of the citizens, adding that it is the responsibility of the government to so do.The activist equally called on the government to tender a public apology to Nigerians for what he described as failure on its part which has led to this embarrassing situation.