Zaria — The Nigerian Army yesterday transported about 450 of its new regular recruits that graduated recently from the training depot in Zaria by train to Lagos.

Speaking to Journalists while flagging off the recruits' dispatch exercise, the Nigerian Railway Corporation's District Manager (RDM), Northern District, Mr Adekunle Ayeni said the evacuation of the soldiers is part of the corporation's efforts to assure Nigerians that rail transportation is back with quality and reliable services.

Ayeni said the Zaria-Lagos journey is expected to take about 25 hours hence the 450 soldiers are expected to arrive Lagos tomorrow afternoon.

"As the train leaves Zaria now at 1:15p.m., it is expected to arrive Lagos by 2:15p.m. tomorrow. We want to use this medium to plead for patronage from government agencies, private organizations and individuals as their contribution towards the revitalization of the rail system in the country," he said.

While commending the efforts of the federal government at reviving the railways, the RDM appealed for more funding to enable the Corporation serve Nigerians better.

"The essence of re-introducing the rail services in the country is to provide efficient and effective means of transporting goods and people across Nigeria. What we are seeing today confirms our MD's assertion that railway is back to serve our people better. This we have done before and will continue to do in a more excellent manner," Ayeni said.