By our reporter| Bandits on Monday night attacked a train conveying passengers from Abuja to Kaduna in Kaduna State.
Many passengers were injured while several others were said to have been kidnapped by the assailants.
According to some of the passengers, the bandits attacked the train around Dutse axis in Kaduna, just a few kilometres to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
One of the passengers on the train told Channels Television that the bandits bombed the train track with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which forced the train to derail.
Upon the stoppage of the train, the assailants were said to have begun to fire gunshots sporadically.
He added that the terrorists later forced their way into the train and kidnapped an unspecified number of people, with some others feared killed.
Another passenger on the train, Anas Danmusa, took to his Facebook handle to call for help.
According to him, nobody could come to their rescue about one hour into the incident as the assailants tried to force their way into the train.
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 have been here. Btw Katari to Rijana. I am a living witness…
About 20 minutes later, Danmusa confirmed that army personnel have arrived at the scene of the attack.
”There is bad network where we are at the moment. It is just luck that I am able to type this. They are actually trying to force themselves inside the train…no help yet. Over 1 hour”,he wrote.
Rescued by soldiers
The Kaduna state government later confirmed that the military has secured the Kaduna-bound train from Abuja.
“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.”
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