In what looked like a coordinated onslaught against innocent citizens, bandits-cum-terrorists on Monday attacked a train transiting from Abuja to Kaduna.
It was gathered that the terrorists detonated a bomb on the Abuja-Kaduna rail track and successfully immobilized the train at a point between Katari and Rijana, few kilometres to the Kaduna metropolis.
The Kaduna-bound train, reportedly carrying about 1,000 passengers, was said to have derailed after the improvised explosive device went off, making it possible for the terrorists to attack the train.
Scores of passengers were reportedly injured while several others were kidnapped.
A passenger onboard the train said he counted six people with bullet wounds but could not say if they were dead.
“There are six people we have counted with bullet wounds, there maybe more but so far this is what I can confirm. Security agents are trying to get them medical attention,” he was quoted by Daily Trust as saying.
The Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria, has also confirmed the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train by the terrorists.
According to Okhiria, the attacked train departed Abuja around 6pm, and was expected to arrive Kaduna at 8pm, but was attacked at about 7.30pm.
He, however failed to give further details, saying further information on the attack remains sketch.
In his words, ‘’Information concerning the attack was still sketchy, and no concrete information could be given at the moment.
”We have confirmed the attack, but we cannot give you much information right now. From the reports we have gotten, most of the passengers have gone into hiding and the officials on board are yet to give us report of the situation.
”There are reports of gunshots and the train derailed due to the attack.’’
Troops were later mobilised to the scene of the attack as part of the rescue effort for the passengers.
In a statement, Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said security agencies had secured the train trapped by terrorists.
“The Kaduna State Government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service at around Kateri-Rijana general areas.
“Relevant action agencies were urgently contacted, and robust deployments of personnel were swiftly made to the area to secure the passengers on board.
Recall that this is not the first time that the Abuja-Kaduna route of the NRC is experiencing attacks by terrorists.
In October 2021, the NRC announced the immediate suspension of rail service operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route following the detonation of explosives on the train track by terrorists.
