Train attack: 186 now confirmed safe, 22 missing, 51 others unreachable

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has confirmed the safety of 186 passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train attacked by terrorists last Monday’s near Kaduna, representing an increase of 14 persons from the last tally.

It also said in the latest statement that 22 passengers had been reported missing by their relatives; the phones of 35 people on the train manifest were ringing when called but no-one responded; just as the mobile phone numbers of 51 others were unreachable.

The development is coming exactly one week after the train was attacked in the Kateri-Rijana area of the state.

Musa-Lawal Ozigi, TUC secretary-general; Akin Akinsola, TUC Kwara chairman; and Chinelo Nwando Megafu, a dental surgeon, were among those who died in the attack

Giving an update in a statement issued on Sunday, the NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, said, “Fifty-one phone numbers on the manifest are either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning.”

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He said 35 phone numbers “are ringing but no response from the other end” while 60 phone numbers, when called, are said to be non-existent.

“Two coaches earlier re-railed were safely moved to Rigasa Station. This brings the total number of recovered coaches and safely moved to NRC stations to 7,” he said.

“Intensive work continues on track repairs. More concrete sleepers were moved to site while some section of twisted tracks has been straightened.”

Since the incident, only eight passengers on board the train have been confirmed dead.

The NRC had announced the suspension of the Abuja-Kaduna railway operations following the attack.

The statement is presented below:

In our quest to keep the general public informed with on-going development regarding the clearing of the incident site (recovery of the rolling stock, repairs of the track) and status of Passengers that were on-board the AK 9 train of Monday 28th March 2022, the Corporation hereby provide the following  updates as at end of work today 3^rd April, 2022:

• Two (2No.) Coaches (SP 00016 and SP 00017) earlier re-railed were safely moved to Rigasa Station. This brings the total number of recovered Coaches and safely moved to NRC Stations to 7No.
• Intensive work continues on track repairs. More concrete Sleepers were moved to site while some section of twisted tracks has been straightened.
• Of the 362 validated passengers on board the attacked AK9 train service on 28^th April 2022,
  • 186 persons on the manifest are confirmed to be safe and at their various homes (Additional 14 persons confirmed safe today).
  • 51 phone numbers on the manifest are either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning.
  • 35 phone numbers on the manifest are ringing but no response from the other end.
  • 60 phone numbers on the manifest when called response non-existent.
  • 22 persons are reported missing by their relatives.
  • 8 persons confirmed dead.

We remain grateful to the Security Agencies for all the support. We are very appreciative of the Squadron Commander MOPOL 1 Kaduna visit to the accident site today. The NRC will continue to update the general public of developments to prevent misleading information and falsehood.

Thank you and God bless Nigeria.