Govt, Railways Confirm Bombing Of Kaduna-Bound Train

By Akinwale Kasali  and Uche Mbah

The insecurity in Nigeria, especially, in Kaduna State, went a notch higher in the evening of Monday, March 28, 2022.

In a most frightening incident, terrorists planted bombs along the rail line of the Abuja-Kaduna route, and made appreciable damage to the engine of the Train.

But for the quick intervention of Security Operatives, Nigeria could have suffered its worst bloodbath since the advent of terrorism in the country, which has worsened recently.

The  Kaduna bound Train, carrying over 900 passengers, came under attack by Terrorists. First, they planted bombs which detonated, damaged and derailed the Train. Then, they followed up with fire power.

The frightening attack could not have come on a worse day. It was the day Lai Mohammed, Minister for Information and Culture, at a  Press Conference in Abuja, claimed that insecurity was diminishing day by day. The attack also came two days after terrorists invaded the Kaduna International Airport, through Runway 05 Axis, effectively preventing an Azman Airline first flight to Abuja, from taking off, and shooting to death, a staff of the National Airspace Management Authority, NAMA.

For over two hours, the passengers on the train were stranded, frightened, and at the mercy of the terrorists.

“There is no network in the area so we cannot get any information until the team we have despatched returns,  a Daily Trust report quoted a Security source.

The Train took off from Idu Train Station, Abuja at about 6.00pm, and met its waterloo, about 30 minutes to Rigasa Train Station, Kaduna.

A frightened and helpless passenger, sent out a save-our-soul message.

“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.”

A Kaduna State Government  official was quoted as saying: “What we know is that suspected IED’s were planted on the track and the train has derailed. We don’t know for sure if there is any injury or death. But the Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation,  Fidet Okhiria, has confirmed the attack to Daily Trust.

He said: “There was an incident but we are managing it. I don’t have the details now,”

However, one of the passengers on the train identified as Anas Danmusa clained that the attackers fired several gunshots.

Passengers hid under the seats until security operatives arrived the scene,” he said.

Reacting to the incident in a statement, Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said security agencies had cased and secured m the train.

“The Kaduna State Government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service at around Kateri-Rijana general areas.

“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.”

Travelling to Kaduna from Abuja by Train became popular when deadly kidnappers took over the Abuja-Kaduna Road. Now, travelling by Train has become dangerous too.