March 29, 2022

Barely 72 hours after terrorists attacked the airport in Kaduna on Saturday, killing one person, daredevil terrorists have again on Monday attacked an Abuja to Kaduna train with over 190 persons on board.

The terrorists reportedly bombed the train around Dutse axis in Kaduna, a few kilometres to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

They were said to have bombed the rail with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) forcing the train to derail. Nigerian rail lines have no perimeter fencing which leaves them vulnerable to attack and vandalization.

Many passengers were injured while several others were said to have been kidnapped by the attackers, according to social media live updates by some of the passengers.

The passengers said the terrorists fired several gunshots outside the train coaches as they tried to force their way inside.

Some claimed that the terrorists later forced their way into the train and kidnapped some people, with some others feared injured and bleeding.

An obviously terrified passenger on the train, Anas Danmusa, took to his Facebook handle to cry for help. He wrote:

“Please this is an emergency. We are inside train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives and the train engines have been ruined. We are helpless. Abuja to Kaduna train. Gunshots still being fired right around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help. Since 8pm we hv bn here. Btw Katari to Rijana. I am a living witness…”

Danmusa who complained in another post of poor network in the area urged people to share his post just so the right authorities would know about their plight. His post went viral immediately.

Danmusa also confirmed the arrival of security personnel to rescue them.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government said in a statement:

“The Kaduna State Government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service at around Kateri-Rijana general areas,” a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said.

“Relevant action agencies were urgently contacted, and robust deployments of personnel were swiftly made to the area to secure the passengers on board.

“Efforts are ongoing to convey the passengers from the location and others that sustained injuries have been rushed to hospitals for urgent medical attention.

“The Government of Kaduna State will be liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers’ manifest for efficient tracking.

“This is to acquire an accurate inventory of all passengers and their actual status.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i who has been in constant touch with the security forces, commended them for their prompt response, and thanked them for successfully securing the train and passengers on board.

“Security forces continue to comb the general area in additional rescue efforts.

“Emerging developments will be communicated to the public.”