Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
No fewer than 970 passengers on board a passenger train from Abuja to Kaduna were endangered yesterday, when the train conveying them was reportedly attacked by suspected terrorists.
The incident which occurred between Rijana and Katari in Kaduna State is coming less than two days terrorists on bikes numbering over 100 allegedly attacked the Kaduna airport, forcing Lagos-bound plane not to take off.
Ikengaonline gathered that the bandits after the attack made futile attempts to force themselves into the cabins of the train.
Reports say the dare-devil terrorists planted explosives on the rail track which exploded as the train approached the scene, thereby causing it to derail.
Another unconfirmed report say some passengers escaped into the bush while some were allegedly abuducted by the bandits.
Security agencies are yet to confirm if there were any abductions.
Meanwhile, one of the passengers onboard the train, Anas Iro Dan Musa, sent messages via his Facebook, saying “all passengers were lying on the floor as the terrorists were shooting sporadically at the train”.
“ Please, this is an emergency. We are inside the train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives on the train tracks and the train engines have been ruined, we are helpless.
“Gunshots still being fired around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help”, Musa posted on his Facebook page.
According to Musa, the incident occurred around 8:00pm local time.
“Since 8 pm we have been here between Katari and Rijiana. I am a living witness. Please share the news we need help”, he appealed.
Musa who was desperate for rescue operation by the security agencies noted that the area had a challenge of network coverage.
“There is bad network where we are at the moment. It is just luck am able to type this, they are actually forcing themselves in.”
Another passenger, Adamu Hayatu, in a tweet, said: “Alhamdulillah!! The military has secured the train. Thank you #DSS, thank you #KadunaCP, thank You# samuellaruwan, thank you DMI, and all classified persons who answered our calls without hesitation and actually acted upon it. God bless Nigeria and everyone.”
Meanwhile, the Authorities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, have confirmed the incident, describing it as very sad.
Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria, said: “We cannot give you much information now. Most of the passengers have gone into hiding and they cannot be giving information, but there are reports of gunshots as the train stopped.”
Attacks on passenger trains on the Abuja-Kaduna track are becoming rampant in recent times as terrorists are extending their territories in parts of the North.
Kaduna, of late, has become a hot-bed in the North as terrorists have stepped up their attacks on innocent citizens.
The governor of the neighbouring Niger State, had last year, raised the alarm that bandits had taken over many Local government areas in the state.
He warned that if no serious measures were taken to contain the mass murderers, they could overrun Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power anytime soon.
