As Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Fitr today, the rush to reunite with loved ones is playing out across train stations in Nigeria, with many turning to rail transport for a smoother journey.
At the Abuja station, that story is captured in the excitement of eleven-year-old Aliyu Usman Ali, heading to Kaduna state to see his cousins.
Eleven-year-old Aliyu Usman Ali is travelling by train, not for the first time, to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with his cousins in Kaduna State. For him, it’s more than just a journey. It’s the excitement of reunion, and the simple joy that comes with the festive period
Ali is not alone. Across train stations, passengers are turning out in numbers, choosing rail transport to beat the Sallah travel rush.
MUST READ: Niger Governor calls for tolerance at Sallah
The Nigerian Railway Corporation had earlier announced special services with additional trips across major routes, including Abuja–Kaduna, Lagos–Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, to manage the expected surge in travel, during the Eid period.
As scheduled On the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) corridor, a train had left at 7:45am on Friday, another returned at 2:16pm and the last for the day left at 3:15pm in its seven-coach train. Before that were passengers arriving early, with many expressing confidence in the system, even as they navigate the usual checks and boarding procedures.
During our visit, we were granted access to the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s control room, where the team oversees train operations in real-time. The control room monitors passenger movement, tracks the location of all trains via CCTV and GPS systems, and coordinates with staff across stations to ensure safety and efficiency during travel periods.
(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
