FOLLOWING last Monday’s rail accident at  Kakau village, Kaduna state, transport minister, Senator Idris Umar has said that the ministry has concluded plans to probe illegal rail crossing with a view to sanctioning offenders.

Speaking at the scene  of the incident, Senator Umar stated that  after the probe, the ministry will also proffer lasting solutions to the issue of illegal rail crossing.

Umar also disclosed that both the driver and owner of the truck have been arrested, adding that they are currently undergoing interrogation.

Expressing regrets of  the accident, Umar explained that the   accident was avoidable but for   the recklessness of the truck driver who tried to cross the rail track   to drop sewage and got stuck in the process.

He assured Nigerians that by Monday, Rail services will commence as efforts are being made to remove the derailed locomotive and thereafter relay the tracks

Also speaking at the scene of the accident, the   Managing .Director   of the   Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) Engr. Seyi Sijuwade stated that plans are also under way to sensitise and announce to Nigerians the return of the rail transport.

He explained   that jingles   produced in local dialects will be relayed on local and national radio.

Recall that a   Kaduna bound passenger train from Lagos derailed at Kakau village in Kuduna when a sewage truck that tried to cross the rail track got stock and caused an accident.

Although, no death was recorded but a good number of people were injured and the Minster of Transport Senator Idris Umar has promised to defray the hospital bills of the affected passengers.