By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Persons suspected to be terrorists on Monday attacked a train plying the Abuja-Kaduna route and allegedly kidnapped some of the passengers.
It was gathered that the extremists were able to carry out the act after detonating bombs on the rail track, which forced the train to stop, allowing them to attack the passengers.
However, the military responded to distress calls to them and took over control of the train, though a few of the passengers were already injured and others were taken away by the bandits.
According to reports, the Abuja-Kaduna train attack occurred around Rijana and immediately the train was immobilised, the attackers started shooting sporadically, forcing the 970 passengers onboard to scamper for safety.
Confirming the incident, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr Fidet Okhiria, said, “From the reports we have received, most of the passengers have gone into hiding and the officials on board are yet to give us a report of the situation. There are reports of gunshots and the train derailed due to the attack.”
Also, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said the military had rescued the Kaduna-bound train passengers trapped by terrorists, noting that efforts were ongoing to move injured passengers to hospitals for urgent medical attention.
