In Nigeria, a train heading to Kaduna State from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with nearly a million passengers on board was last night attacked by terrorists. Many passengers were injured, and others reportedly abducted by the terrorists.
The terrorists were said to have blown up the rail track, forcing the train to derail around Rijana, a village on the rail corridor in Kaduna forcing the NRC to immediately suspend services on the corridor. Last October, the Abuja-Kaduna rail track came under a similar attack. It was gathered that the 6pm train that took off from Rigasa in Kaduna arrived in Abuja on schedule around 8pm.
However, the one that took off from Idu in Abuja, ran into the explosives planted by the terrorists. A passenger on the train called for help in a tweet. “Please this is an emergency. We are inside the train at the moment. Kidnapper’s planted explosives and the train engines have been ruined,” the passenger, identified as Anas Iro Danmusa, twitted from the train.
He added: “We are helpless on the 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 have been here, between Katari and Rijina. I am a living witness”. In another message, the passenger announced the arrival of the security forces at the scene.
“Alhamdulillah! (Glory be to God!), the soldiers are with us. We are safe!!!” he twitted. The Kaduna-bound train was attacked between Katari and Rijana in Kaduna State. No fewer than 900 passengers were said to be on board. This could not be officially verified.
Confirming the incident to The Nation in a telephone chat, NRC Managing Director Fidet Okhiria said: “It is true but we don’t know the details yet.
“We cannot give you much information now but most of the passengers have gone into hiding and they cannot be giving information, but there are reports of gunshots, continued gunshots as the train stopped. If we have more details, we will get it across, but I will be in Abuja tomorrow because of this incident.” Anxious Nigerians took to their Twitter handles to make clarification and confirmation.
