…Scores of Passengers still missing As Rail Line Suffers Another Terrorist Attack Tuesday
The Federal Government has disclosed that no fewer than eight persons have so far been confirmed dead and 41 hospitalised following the Monday’s terrorist attack on a Kaduna-bound train.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made the disclosure while inspecting the scene of the attack on Tuesday. But some sources claimed that up to 10 persons have died from gunshot wounds, with their bodies deposited at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna.
Speaking at the scene of the attack, Minister Amaechi lamented the situation, describing it as devastating and unfortunate.
In his words, ”We don’t have all the figures of missing persons, kidnapped and those injured at the moment.
”The numbers we have is that there are eight casualties. There are about 41 persons in different hospitals and the total number of passengers who got tickets are 398.
”So, we have to wait on the security, the Kaduna State government, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation. They are all trying to make contact with those on the manifest.
”There are few persons who are not on the manifest like the staff of the NRC, staff of the cleaning contractor, they are not on the manifest and we may not be able to completely account for them but those on the manifest, calls are being made to reach them,” Amaechi said.
Speaking on the security sensors, Ameachi attributed the delay in installation to the rigorous procurement process.
According to him, the government is still in the process of procuring the technology needed to safeguard rail tracks in Nigeria.
”The process is tedious, the approval is also tedious, we have not been able to get that approval that will lead to purchase of those items.
”If those items were here, drones alone will tell you that there are people around the rail tracks because there are drones, there are equipment that pick sensors if you touch the track.
”But unfortunately the process has not been able to get us that approval for us to import those items.
”So for me, I am devastated and I honestly don’t know what to tell Nigerians anymore.”
The Minister said it was not enough having cameras inside the train, adding that a high tech camera that would detect objects from afar was necessary.
”The cameras in the train cannot pick what is happening outside. What you need is a camera that shows 100 metres away from the train, that there are unknown persons carrying gun.
”Then, we can take precaution, but we have done all we need to do in the ministry of transport and we have forwarded to them for approval but we have not gotten approval.
”The patrol vehicles are available but they cannot reach everywhere. For the areas the patrol can patrol, it will forestall.
”We are thinking about the possibility of employing natives until we get those equipment.
“We also need helicopters, beyond the drones, we need helicopters,” Amaechi added.
Meanwhile, terrorists launched yet another attack on Gidan station, on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, on Tuesday’s afternoon.
The attack occurred shortly after the entourage of the Minister of Transportation, Amaechi passed through on their way to Rijana, where they conducted an inspection to determine the extent of damage caused by the attack that occurred on Monday night.
According to reports, a police car was set on fire while NRC personnel stationed in the area fled.
Security personnel were able to bring the situation under control.
