Abuja light rail to be inaugurated in December 2017 - FCT Minister

The Minister of the Fed­eral Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Muhammad Bello, has disclosed that the Abuja Light Rail project will be inaugurated in December 2017.
The Abuja light rail project is expected to link the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and is intend­ed to link Abuja satellite towns such as Nyanya, Kubwa, Mar­araba and Lugbe.
Speaking during the inau­guration of the Abuja–Kadu­na modernisation rail project at Idu, Abuja yesterday, Bello said that the Abuja Light Rail project would make transpor­tation easy for residents of the capital city.
According to the minister, the Abuja rail line, which is 77 per cent complete, will ease the transportation needs of FCT residents.

Bello said, “We are particu­larly happy in the FCT for the completion of the Abuja-Ka­duna rail project because this project is expected to link the ongoing Abuja Light Rail proj­ect.
“The aim is to provide alter­native means of transportation for the teeming population in Abuja city as well as the area councils.
“It is my pleasure to mention that the Abuja Light Rail proj­ect, which has been conceived in six lots, and currently under phase one, is 77 per cent com­pleted and we hope to be here in December 2017 to launch the entire project.”
Clash between Yorubas, Hausas leaves three dead, scores injured in Lagos
By Danielle Ogbeche on July 27, 2016 violent protests ii
A shootout on Tuesday be­tween hoodlums and some of­ficers attached to the Federal Operations Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, at White Sand communi­ty in Ijora Badia area of Lagos State reportedly left three per­sons dead and scores, includ­ing a Customs officer injured.
Trouble started after one Ojo who was said to be on his way home, was allegedly stabbed to death by some Hausa boys.
The attack on Ojo, according to reports, sparked a riot dur­ing which dangerous weapons were freely used by both par­ties.
It turned out to be a clash be­tween Hausa and Yoruba res­idents over accusation by the latter that the former had been terrorising the area. Houses and shops were demolished during the riot.
While the demolition was ongoing, some Customs offi­cers stormed the community in three patrol vehicles at about 2.30p.m.
The hoodlums were said to have resisted the Customs men, who allegedly attempted to stop the demolition, an ac­tion that led to a shootout, dur­ing which three persons were reprtedly killed.
It was alleged that the offi­cers fired sporadically to scare off some hoodlums, who were roaming the area.
The officers also suffered casualties as bullets from the hoodlums reportedly hit an of­ficer who is being treated at the Lagoon Hospital, Apapa.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Rela­tions Officer, Dolapo Badmus, a Superintendent of Police told newsmen on Wednesday that contrary to the report, only one person died, while two others are recuperating in the hospi­tal.
She said, “The community and the police were on a joint operation of raiding black spots within the community and ar­resting suspected criminals yesterday.
“In the process, some offi­cers of the Nigerian Customs Service officers, who were with officials of the National Emer­gency Management Agency, NEMA, had an encounter with some of the hoodlums.
“They fired some shots and three people were hit. As a re­sult, one death was recorded, while two others are receiving treatment in the hospital. Po­licemen are not involved.”
Meanwhile, residents in­sisted three persons died. The PPRO said that will be deter­mined upon completion of in­vestigation.