Sequel to reports that suspected bandits reportedly bombed a train travelling between Abuja-Kaduna, inflicting technical damages on the country’s major rail infrastructure the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has indefinitely suspended all train services along the route. This is to guarantee safety of passengers and crew members while efforts were being put in place to ensure absolute safety along the route. NRC’s managing director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, who confirmed the attack, said the explosives inflicted damages on the rail tracks somewhere between Dutse and Rijana. “There was an explosive on our rail track somewhere around Rijana and Dutse last night, and this damaged the tracks. “Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure that the train services along the Kaduna-Abuja route are fully restored,”
Commuters on the Kaduna-Abuja train corridor have narrated how they were trapped in a secluded area for over six hours on Wednesday when suspected armed bandits reportedly bombed a train which caused pandemonium as commuters were left at the mercy of few Police officers about 40 kilometers to Rigasa station.
According to one of the passengers there was confusion from passengers when the security men in the VIP coaches shouted for all to take cover after the loud sound.
The passenger said Lights and the air conditioning systems immediately went off, leaving passengers in the heat and darkness.
Former Senator Shehu in a tweet on Thursday, while giving account of an incident that happened to him along the same route said it “took a miracle” for him and other passengers on the train to escape.
According to Sani he rode a train between Kaduna and Abuja on Thursday morning which nearly derailed because of an explosive that damaged a section of the tracks.
“Yesterday, terrorists attacked the Kaduna Abuja railway with an explosive & opened fire on the train, targeting the Engine Driver & the Tank. This morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged rail track. It took a miracle for us to escape.”
