A passenger train conveying over 970 passengers was reportedly attacked by suspected terrorists between Rijana and Katari in Kaduna State on Monday, March 28, 2022.
It was gathered that the bandits after the attack tried to force themselves into the cabins of the train, but they did not succeed.
A passenger on board the train, Anas Iro Dan Musa, posted updates about the attack on Facebook saying all passengers were lying on the floor as the terrorists were shooting at the train sporadically.
Dan-Musa wrote, “please, this is an emergency. We are inside the train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives on the train tracks and the train engines have been ruined, we are helpless.
“Gunshots still being fired around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help”.
He later added: “Since 8 pm we have been here between Katari and Rijiana. I am a living witness. Please share the news we need help.
“There is bad network where we are at the moment. It is just luck am able to type this, they are actually forcing themselves in.”
One other passenger, Adamu Hayatu, in a tweet, said: “Alhamdulillah!! The military has secured the train. Thank you #DSS, thank you #KadunaCP, thank You# samuellaruwan, thank you DMI, and all classified persons who answered our calls without hesitation and actually acted upon it. God bless Nigeria and everyone.”
A Nigerian man who was onboard the Abuja-Kaduna trained that was attacked by terrorists on Monday, March 28, has confirmed that some passengers were killed during the attack.
Usman Moddibo who gave an update after the Army came to their rescue, wrote; ”After being rescued by the Soldiers, we left the train and walked to Kaduna Abuja expressway now waiting for the buses that conveyed the first batch to return. Alhamdulillah”
Moddibo confirmed travellers died in the attack. “I wish to express my profound appreciation to God for sparing my life and saving us from the Bandits, may the souls of those that died rest in peace and may God makes it easy for the captured. Special thanks to the GOC 1 Div and all of you for your prayers. Home and safe,” he added.
A Nigerian female doctor identified as Chinelo has been reportedly killed in the attack. Chinelo had taken to her Twitter handle last night to ask people to pray for her after she sustained a gunshot injury during the attack. She wrote; ”I’m in the train. I have been shot please pray for me.”
I'm in the train . I have been shot please pray for me.
— Chinelo (@nelo_x) March 28, 2022
A Twitter user named Dr Sina disclosed that she didn’t make it.
Dr Sina wrote; ”Just woke up to sad news My friend just woke up to losing a close friend who was shot at the Abuja Kaduna train incident by terrorists She tweeted yesterday that we should pray for her. Sadly she didn’t make it. She was a Doctor Nigeria why… I’m heartbroken.
“I was just here yesterday tweeting and asking if there were medical personnel on the train who could offer emergency services And some people were here saying why will I think of such a thing..really?..for basic first aid to be provided for injured. May Nigeria not happen to us. #RIPDRCHINELO.”
Confirming the incident, the Managing Director of Nigerian Railways Corporation, NRC, Fidet Okhiria, said: “We cannot give you much information now. Most of the passengers have gone into hiding and they cannot be giving information, but there are reports of gunshots as the train stopped.”
