The Kaduna State Government has confirmed that the military has secured the Kaduna-bound train from Abuja trapped by terrorists around Kateri-Rijana general area in the late hours of Monday.
The terrorists reportedly bombed the train track with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which damaged the train engine.
“Please this is an emergency. We are inside a train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives, and the train engines have been ruined. We are helpless; Abuja to Kaduna train. Gunshots are still being fired right around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help. Since 8 pm we have been here. Btw Katari to Rijana. I am a living witness,” one of the passengers on the train, Anas Iro-Danmusa, posted on Facebook.
In a statement issued by the State Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the authorities said after receiving several reports of the attack, security agencies were contacted to rescue the passengers.
“The Kaduna State Government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service around Kateri-Rijana general areas. Relevant action agencies were urgently contacted, and robust deployments of personnel were swiftly made 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 was 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,” the statement read.
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