By Seyi Odewale, Cross Udo, Nathaniel Zacchaeus, and Israel Joel
A Kaduna-based medical doctor, Chinelo Megafu, was among the eight persons that were killed after terrorists attacked an Abuja-Kaduna bound train which was attacked by terrorists on Monday.
The train reportedly left Abuja at about 6pm and was heading to Kaduna when it was attacked at about 7.25pm between Katari and Rijana communities.
The terrorists also referred to as bandits, planted explosives on the train track and immobilised it before firing gunshots at passengers as they tried to open the doors. It was learnt that two cleaners on the train were among those killed by the terrorists.
Both the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Railway Corporation have confirmed the attack which left 26 injured and many others abducted.
A former deputy governor of Zamfara State, Ibrahim Wakkala, was among the injured passengers receiving treatment at the hospital in Kaduna after the terrorist attack.
Others on the list of injured passengers were Haruna Muhammed; Mohammed Modibo; Ibrahim Wakili; Yakubu Nuhu; Abdulahi Yahaya; Ismail Saidu; Abdumalik Rasheedat; Umar Mohammed.
They also include Hadiza Umar; Musa Ishawan; Aisha Yusuf; Mohammed Ameen; Abubakar Hauwau; Aliyu Sulaiman; Olaosebikan Bilikisu and Mrs Leola Abdulbasit.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation said services on the Abuja-Kaduna route had been “temporarily suspended”.
Two days earlier, gunmen killed a perimeter security guard in an attack at Kaduna airport before armed forces intervened. Gunmen also attacked the same railway line with explosives in October.
The slain medical doctor had tweeted during the attack, “I’m in the train. I have been shot please pray for me,” she never knew that would be her last tweet on earth. Some of those who responded to her tweet wished her a safe journey and speedy recovery.
Her hopes of relocating from Nigeria ended in the train attack as she was said to have put in her resignation letter to leave the country this Friday.
She was not alone. Many others lost their lives to these terrorists. Another victim was Musa Lawal, a barrister, who lost his life in the incident.
A survivor, who wished for anonymity said, “We heard a loud bang. A bomb exploded.” According to him, “the earth shook and within the twinkle of an eye, there were gunshots everywhere.”
“The terrorists surrounded the coaches and shot sporadically. Many were wounded. Some were hit by bullets as the terrorists closed in, trying to infiltrate the coaches. As the confusion heightened, many ran into the bushes on both sides of the track. It was by the will of Allah that I survived,” he said.
Survivors’ accounts said several people were taken hostage by the terrorists after killing so many. A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, said the terrorists abducted a “white man” and killed several others.
He also said the terrorists targeted the Business Class coach of the train. Sani wrote: “I just spoke with a survivor who is a civil servant working with a public Library, she narrated that the terrorists specifically targeted the Business Class coach. They kidnapped some persons including a “white man” and killed those who resisted while she pretended to be dead.
“Many times, the bandits try to use their herd of cattle to stop the trains, but they are usually crushed and then they resort to the use of explosives. The train was attacked in the very spot it was attacked last October. Passengers of five coaches were taken as hostages.”
In its statement yesterday, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, said government “received from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the detailed passenger manifest for the Abuja-Kaduna train service AK9 which was attacked by terrorists on Monday.”
“According to the documents received, 398 passengers bought tickets for the trip, but 362 were validated as having boarded the train through the recognized turnstile.”
He said eight bodies have been recovered while many passengers are yet to be accounted for.
“Furthermore, security agencies have reported that eight bodies were recovered and 26 persons were injured during the attack,” he wrote.
Buhari meets service chiefs, orders security surveillance implementation
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday gave marching orders to the nation’s security personnel to ensure that each of the callous terrorists that carried out the dastardly act was hunted down and made to face justice for the heinous acts, saying no one or group should be allowed to make the country prostrate.
Buhari gave the directives after being briefed by the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, and Maj.-Gen. Samuel Adebayo, the Chief of Defence Intelligence with the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said: “No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom.”
Buhari also directed the immediate conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line, which he said should be extended to cover the Lagos-Ibadan railway line.
He further directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) management to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay, adding that his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists and be more decisive with anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.
Meanwhile, it was learnt yesterday too that there was another attack on the Gidan Train Station, making it the second in the last 24 hours. The terrorists, it was learnt, might have planted IEDs on the tracks forcing the train heading to Abuja from Kaduna to a stop.
Northern governors horrified over train attack
Also, the Northern Governors Forum expressed deep sorrow and fury over the barbaric attack on a train, describing the act as horrifying and totalling reprehensible.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, while reacting to the sad development, said the entire governors and people of the region as well as other Nigerians are distressed over the unfortunate attack on innocent commuters by terrorists who have demonstrated total disregard for human lives and compassion.
In a statement by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Simon Macham, the Forum through the governor sympathised with the families of those killed as well as those kidnapped or injured.
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“The Northern Governors, therefore, encourages the security forces to intensify their search and rescue efforts in ensuring that those kidnapped are released without further delay and the fleeing terrorists are arrested and brought to justice,” the statement added.
Lalong said the forum was working with the Federal Government and Governor Nasir el-Rufai to ensure that this incident and other recent terrorist attacks on communities in the state were dealt with decisively.
He called for the support and collaboration of citizens by volunteering relevant information about criminal elements throughout the region and the country, as well as supporting the armed forces to carry out their mandate of security lives and properties effectively.
Lalong said more investments are being made into the security sector by State Governments within the region as part of the collaboration with the Federal Government to boost the capacity of the security forces to be on top of the situation.
He also appreciates the compassion demonstrated by Nigerians who have come forward to donate blood to victims currently undergoing medical care in various health facilities.
Senate asks military to bombard terrorist enclaves
Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday called on the Army and Air Force to, as a matter of urgency, bombard terrorist enclaves to restore peace and stability in the country.
The call came amidst resolutions reached, following a point of order raised on “the continuing attacks on Communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.”
The point of order was raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central).
The lawmaker noted that terrorists have in recent times stepped up attacks on some communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.
He said, “The latest attacks by these murderous elements took place in some communities in Giwa Local Government, namely Angwan Sarki Yahya, Tashar Shari, Bare-Bari, Tsaunin Natal, Dillalai, Durumi, and Jatin Kanwa, all on Yakawada Ward.
“Other places affected include Kaya community, Mai kyauro, and Fatika. They killed 50 persons and kidnapped o 100 people. They also made strategic roads in Giwa Local Government no-go areas.
“Not done with their devilish acts, they attempted to penetrate the Kaduna International Airport.
“Although the attack was foiled by vigilant security operatives, one person lost his life. When people were trying to come to grips with week-long wanton destruction of lives and property, the terrorists struck again.”
He bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna-bound train carrying over 970 passengers around Kateri – Rijana axis in Kaduna, just a few kilometers to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the State.
“The train derailed after the first wave of attacks. Grenades and RPG were used. They rained bullets on all the coaches. Some passengers were killed, while many sustained bullet wounds.
“There are reports that some of the passengers were abducted. The terrified passengers only breathed a sigh of relief when security agencies arrived and secured the train and the area. It’s been a reign of undiluted terror”, Senator Sani said.
He said “These latest attacks are aimed at instilling fear in the people and destroying the economies of our local communities.
“It is disheartening that these enemies of the people are getting emboldened by the day. They are becoming more brazen. These blood-curdling vampires have no regard for human life. They have no place in a civilized society.”
He expressed concern that the unrelenting attacks call to question the strategies and tactics being adopted by our security forces.
Sani observed that the forests where the terrorists hold sway are not impregnable, adding that, “a comprehensive operational plan, executed with high sense of professionalism and responsibility, total commitment on the part of our security forces and the support and cooperation of the local communities will rid Kaduna State forests of these murderous elements.”
He explained that the advocacy for the creation of a State Police would bring law enforcement closer to the people.
Contributing, Senator Gabriel Suswam, lamented that Kaduna had become the new theatre of insecurity.
He said the lingering activities of terrorists in the state make it imperative for the appropriate authorities to take decisive action.
The lawmaker attributed the inability of the military to curtail growing incidents of terrorism to “a clear failure of leadership.”
On his part, Senator Danjuma La’ah, said if the security situation in the country is not nipped in the bud, political leaders would become the main targets of terrorists.
The Senate, accordingly, in its resolutions, urged President Buhari, to declare a full-scale war against terrorists, to fully secure all our national territory from them in whatever guise.
It urged the Army and the Air Force to carry out a sustained bombardment of terrorist enclaves to flush them out and restore peace and stability to our communities.
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The Senate further directed security agencies to always take steps to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future.
It added that the Military should, as a matter of urgency, monitor the construction and inhabitants of new shanty buildings around the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
The chamber urged the relevant agencies of government to step up their information-gathering mechanism to, forestall these incessant attacks.
It also called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other relevant government agencies to assist the affected communities with relief materials.
The chamber urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives.
The Senate, thereafter, held a minute silence to mourn the deceased in Monday’s attacks. It condoled the families of the victims of the attacks and the government and people of Kaduna State.
