The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will operate a free train service for indigenes of Osun state as part of arrangements for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
A statement on Wednesday by Calistus Unyimadu, NRC public relations officer, said the initiative, tagged “Imole special train”, is in partnership with the Osun government.
Unyimadu said the train will run on the narrow-gauge corridor from Iddo station in Lagos to Osogbo, conveying Osun indigenes at no cost as part of the state government’s “Sallah programme”.
He noted that the service is fully sponsored by the Osun government, while the NRC will provide rolling stock, technical support, and operational services.
The corporation also announced additional train services across its major corridors to cater to increased passenger traffic during the festive period.
According to the Unyimadu, the Lagos-Ibadan train service (LITS) will operate three trips on March 19, with departures from Mobolaji Johnson station, Ebute Metta, at 7:40am, 1:40pm, and 4:00pm, and from Obafemi Awolowo station, Moniya, at 8:00am, 10:50am, and 4:30pm.
On the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, the NRC said two trips will run on March 19, while three trips are scheduled daily from March 20 to 23.
The Warri-Itakpe train service will continue its three-times-weekly schedule, with departures from Warri on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays at 8:00am, and from Itakpe on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 12:00pm. Thursdays are reserved for maintenance.
The Port Harcourt-Aba train service will also maintain its regular schedule throughout the festive period.
The NRC assured passengers of safe and reliable services and urged Nigerians to take advantage of rail transport during the celebrations.
Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, on Wednesday, announced that the moon marking the beginning of Shawwal has not been sighted in Nigeria.
The announcement indicates that Friday, March 20, will be observed as Eid-el-Fitr.