Updated: Abuja-Kaduna train attack: Casualties confirmed as NRC suspends service

Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has confirmed there were fatalities in the Abuja-Kaduna train attacked by terrorists on Monday night.

A female young medical doctor who sustained gunshot injury was said to have died this morning.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has announced the indefinite suspension of train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route.

The NRC announced the suspension in a statement via its Twitter handle, @Official_NRC, on Tuesday.

“Dear passengers, due to unforeseen circumstances, train operations along the Abuja-Kaduna route has been temporarily suspended. Further Communication would be given in due course,” the statement read.

The train was attacked while on its way to Kaduna from Abuja on Monday night.
The gunmen were said to have blown up the rail track after which they launched an attack on the passengers.
It was learnt that the explosives were planted on the rail track.
According to sources, the gunmen went straight for the VIP coaches on getting into the train.
An unspecified number of passengers were said to have been injured during the attack while some others were reportedly abducted.
“The attackers went for the VIP coaches,” one source said.
“Some persons were abducted and several others with injuries.”
Another source said, “Lots of railway workers are missing and their whereabouts unknown.”

Giving an update on the incident, Aruwan said fatalities were recorded and the victims had been moved to hospitals.
“Evacuation of passengers on the trapped Kaduna-bound train from Abuja has been concluded this morning by security forces, officials of Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Nigerian Red Cross,” Aruwan said.
“Passengers who sustained injuries, and other fatalities, have been moved to hospitals.
“The passengers were evacuated from different hard-to-reach areas in forests and rocky locations in Audujongom, off the Kaduna-Abuja Road.
“As stated yesterday, the Kaduna State Government is still liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to ascertain the list from the passengers manifest for efficient tracking.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai who commended all those who participated in the evacuation appealed to the hospitals to attend to the victims diligently.”
He said the governor also directed the ministry of health to be in contact with the hospitals as it will bear the cost of the victims’ treatment.
Aruwan added that the search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, a young medical doctor identified as Chinelo, who tweeted that she was shot by terrorists who attacked train on Monday night, has been reported dead.
Chinelo had taken to her Twitter handle, @nelo_x to report that she had been shot by the terrorists while asking for prayers.
“I’m in the train . I have been shot please pray for me,” she had tweeted.
The lady is reported to have eventually passed away from the gunshot injuries.
Many Twitter users have expressed sadness over her death.
SamzyPR, @IamSamzyPR, said, “Here is Dr Chinelo , One of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers who didn’t make it out alive from the Attack.
“Rest in Peace, Dr Chinelo. Nigeria happened to you!”
“Just learnt that Dr Chinelo didn’t make it. This is heartbreaking,” wrote Dr Chinonso Egemba, @aproko_doctor
“Rest in peace dear Chinelo. You don’t deserve this country.”