Abuja-Kaduna Train Attacked; Rail Line Bombed; Shehu Sani Escapes Death

By Uche Mbah and Ayodele Oni

Former Nigerian Senator representing Kaduna  Central, Shehu Sanni, Thursday escaped death when terrorists attacked a Kaduna-bound train he was on board.

Terrorists had, in the past targeted the Kaduna-Abuja train route for robbery since they discovered that prominent Nigerians avoid traveling by road to escape their antics.

Although there have been reported incidents when trains broke down on the route, resulting in panic by commuters, it has not resulted in robberies.

But it appears the terrorists have become emboldened as to destroy the rail lines, inevitably forcing trains to stop so they can be robbed.

Hence a train grounded by the portion of the rail that was destroyed by explosives was allegedly attacked Wednesday.

Sani tweeted that the train he boarded ran into the damaged portion.

In his verified handle, he alleged that terrorists had opened fire on the engine driver and tank of the train.

“Yesterday, terrorists attacked the Kaduna-Abuja railway with an explosive and opened fire on the train, targeting the engine driver and 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,” Sani tweeted.

Terrorists have become emboldened in recent times. Recently, there were reports that the Nigerian Airforce paid ransom to bandits begging them to release a military anti-aircraft missile seized from the Military.

The Military, however, denied the allegation.

There was also a recent viral video of a senior customs officer who was boasting of how he took risks to give seven bags of rice seized at the borders to the terrorists to prevent attacks from them.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has suspended train services on the Kaduna-Abuja route citing “unforeseen circumstances.”

A release by NRC said: “Due to unforseen circumstances, train services have been immediately suspended for the safety of our dear passengers.

“Efforts are in place to restore services.'”