Military aircraft are to escort passenger trains along the vital rail link between Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and the northern city of Kaduna.
The announcement by Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi comes after a packed train with commuters was attacked by gunmen on the high-speed line on Monday.
At least eight passengers were killed and several others taken hostage for ransom.
Mr. Amaechi said once repair work on the 190km track was completed, the service would resume with aerial security.
This is seen by some as a desperate move by the government, which has been struggling to tackle armed gangs who run huge money-making kidnapping operations. END