News Editor
…Says troops secure train from terrorists
The Kaduna state government has confirmed the attack on a Kaduna bound train by terrorists operating in the troubled North west state on Monday.
Commissioner of Internal Security and Home affairs, Samuel Aruwan gave the confirmation in a statement he signed and posted on his official Facebook page on Monday night.
The statement reads in full;
Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that the military has secured the Kaduna bound train from Abuja trapped by terrorists.
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.
This is to acquire an accurate inventory of all passengers and their actual status.
Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i who has been 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.
Emerging developments will be communicated to the public.
End of statement.
Eyewitness account confirmed that the train which was enroute to Kaduna from Abuja was attacked by terrorists at around Rijana axis of the dreaded Abuja Kaduna express way.
Emmanuel Elija a passenger who was on the train wrote on his Facebook wall that the terrorists after bombing parts of the train also shot sporadically at the train.
“After using explosives the bandits began to shoot sporadically at us, they injured some people but thank God I am fine. ” He said.
As of the time of filling this report, the number of persons injured or abducted could not be ascertained as details were still sketchy.
