Attacked Abuja-Kaduna train: 21 passengers missing, 170 safe

Abiodun OBA

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria,  has confirmed the safety of about 170 passengers that were on board the attacked AK9 Kaduna-bound train on March 28.

In a statement on Saturday, Okhiria said, ”The Corporation, in continuation of its concerted effort through repeated calls, has been able to confirm the safety of 170 passengers, while 21 passengers are reported missing by the relatives, who made calls to us.

”The corporation is seriously collaborating with the security agencies who had already swung into action, in line with the directive of Mr President, to do everything possible to rescue all those that are still missing”, he said.

He stated that the corporation had also heavily moved human and material resources to the accident site to ensure resumption of train services without further delays.

Okhiria said the move was to reduce the stress currently faced by its passengers in getting to their destinations.

“In practical terms, a high powered restoration team, led by Directors, have been working round the clock to re-rail the coaches affected by the bomb blast.

”There is a co-ordinated two-pronged simultaneous restoration approach. While Loco 2702 with re-railment and restoration materials departed Idu Station, Abuja, to the bomb blast site.

”Another team with Loco 2502 departed Rigasa Station, Kaduna, with re-railment and restoration materials to the same site.

”I am happy to inform you that as at the close of work on the 1st of April 2022, Coaches SP00004, SP00009, SP00012 and SP00013, have all been re-railed and safely taken to our Rigasa Station in Kaduna.

”Restoration of track for full resumption of normal train services will continue today, 2nd April 2022”, the NRC boss added.

On safety, Okhiria said arrangements had been put in place for increased security along the track and on board the train to prevent the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.

He consoled families of victims of the attack, saying “be assured that the corporation is with you in this challenging time.”

Recall that on March 28, suspected bandits attacked the last evening train, AK9 on the Abuja–Kaduna train service with explosives.

This led to the death of some passengers and destruction of the train and track.

Due to the level of damage on the track and in honour of those that lost their lives, the corporation suspended train operations on the affected route.

There were 11 coaches on the train worked by Loco 2502, which is made up of four SPA Coaches with 56 sitting capacity per coach and seven SP Coaches with 88 sitting capacity per coach. Thus, the total seat capacity of the train is 840 seats.

But the NRC had earlier said 398 passengers bought tickets for the trip, and 362 validated as having boarded the train.

Eight passengers including Trade Union Congress (TUC) Secretary-General Musa Ozigi-Lawal, TUC Kwara State chapter Chairman Akin Akinsola, National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) director at Kaduna office, Abdul Isa Kofar-Mata and a dentist Dr Chinelo Nwando were confirmed killed and 41 others, injured.