Irabor Names Abuja–Kaduna Train Attack As His Toughest Security Battle

Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), has revealed that the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train abduction was the most difficult and testing security situation he encountered during his tenure.

According to Ireporter Online, Irabor made the revelation while speaking on Channels Television, where he reflected on his time as Nigeria’s top military officer. He explained that the train attack not only stretched the nation’s security system to its limits but also demanded every ounce of his professional and operational experience.

Irabor recounted that the Defence Headquarters had to mobilise vast resources and implement high-level strategies to secure the release of passengers abducted by terrorists during the tragic incident. “For me, during my time as CDS, the security situation across the country was deeply troubling. The most challenging, however, was the train abduction incident, which added to the complexities we were already grappling with. Every experience I had acquired before that period was deployed to ensure those abducted were rescued,” he said.

The retired general also reflected on other major security operations under his watch, including the fight against insurgency in the North-East and the protection of vital oil assets in the Niger Delta. He emphasised that maintaining oil production was crucial to preserving the nation’s economic stability.

Irabor, who spent much of his military career in the North-East, noted that he was deeply committed to ensuring operations in the region were effectively executed. “Having served a greater part of my career there, I felt the need to ensure our operations were conducted efficiently without unnecessary losses,” he added.

Speaking on life after retirement, Irabor expressed relief at having more personal freedom to pursue his interests, noting that his years of service inspired his recent book, “Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum.”

It will be recalled that on March 28, 2022, terrorists attacked an Abuja-bound Kaduna train, killing several passengers, injuring others, and abducting 61 individuals. The hostages were later released in batches, with the last set freed after about seven months in captivity.