THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the explosion on the Kaduna-Abuja rail line which were due to explosives reportedly planted on the tracks by suspected bandits yesterday.
The NRC further explained that efforts were ongoing to restore train services along that route.
NRC Managing Director, Engineer Fidet Okhiria, made this known via an interview with the Tribune Online today.
Okhiria stated that the explosives damaged the rail tracks somewhere between Dutse and Rijana.
According to the NRC boss, “Yes, there was an explosive on our rail track somewhere around Rijana and Dutse last night, and this damaged the tracks.
“Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure that the train services along the Kaduna-Abuja route are fully restored,”
When asked if there were gunshots aimed at the train driver and the tank of the train, the NRC MD stated that “There was nothing like that. Only an explosive that went up on the track.
“Are you aware that we even ran a train service this morning? There was nothing like shooting of the train by bandits. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure full train services are restored along that route.”
However the claim of the of the railway boss has been contracted by accounts of passengers on the train who relay their traumatic experience while the ordeal lasted.
Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, Senator Shehu Sani, narrated how he escaped an accident as a result of the bombing.
Senator Sani said on his Facebook page thia this morning, “Yesternight, bandits attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train. They planted an explosive that damaged the rail track and shattered the windshield of the train engine.
“They also opened fire, targeting the driver and the tank. It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations. The driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
“This early morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railing. The train nearly skidded off its track, then we miraculously escaped.”
He advised authorities to suspend all train operations on the Kaduna-Abuja route until the issue was properly addressed.
The attack occurred the same day when Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, received a report on the security issues in the state.
The report indicated that 343 lives were lost in Kaduna in the last three months, as a result of violence.
Of the figure, 193 deaths were reported in the southern region of the state while the central and northern regions recorded 130 and 20 deaths respectively.
However, security operatives killed over 69 criminals and rescued 101 people from the captivity of kidnappers.
