“The Kaduna State Government has 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.”
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The Kaduna State government has finally put a figure to the Kaduna-bound train tragedy.
A train that left Abuja on Monday evening for Kaduna was bombed by terrorists who invaded the train, killing and maiming passengers.
Figures of up to 1000 people have been bandied as the number of passengers on the ill-fated passenger train but the Kaduna State government which confirmed receipt of the manifest on Tuesday evening said 362 people were validated as having boarded the train through the recognized turnstile.
Out of the number, the state government said eight passengers have been confirmed killed and 26 injured.
Many people, however believe that the casaulty figure claimed by the government may have been grossly understated.
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Also, no figure was put to the number of people that were abducted by the terrorists.
As at the time of going to press, many passengers were yet to be unaccounted for.
A statement by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, which was made available to TheNiche, however, said the 362 on the manifest did not include staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
According to Aruwan: “The Kaduna State Government has 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.
“The passenger manifest does not include NRC staff and security officials who were on board.
“Furthermore, security agencies have reported that eight bodies were recovered and 26 persons were injured during the attack.
“Investigations are still ongoing to ascertain the status of the passengers who were on board the train and remain unaccounted for at the time of this update. Search operations are also being sustained.
“Citizens are requested to contact the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency on the phone line 09088923398, to make enquiries or provide information regarding passengers who were on board the Abuja-Kaduna train AK9.
“Further updates will be communicated to the public,” Aruwan assured.
