NRC confirms explosive attack on Kaduna-Abuja rail tracks

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Thursday confirmed attack on its rail tracks.

Consequently, NRC has suspended indefinitely train services along the Abuja-Kaduna route due to the explosion on the rail track which occurred in the evening of October 20.

In a statement signed by the management, the corporation apologised to passengers for inconveniences the suspension might caused them, adding that measures were in place to resume the services very soon.

“The board and management of the NRC hereby inform the general public, particularly our valued passengers on Abuja-Kaduna Train Service that there was explosion on the rail track.

“This affected the fuel tank of the locomotive on Abuja to Kaduna last train (AK10) on October 20.

“However, the situation has been brought under control by a relief locomotive that towed the train to Rigasa Station, Kaduna State.

“The affected locomotive has been sent to the workshop for assessment and repairs. We are also pleased to announce that there were no reported casualties or injuries to either the passengers or the train crew.

“The NRC intends to resume train services soonest, after appropriate measures, checks and maintenance are carried out,” the statement said.

Speculations are rife that the explosion was carried out by unidentified persons believed to be bandits.

Senator Shehu Sani had on Thursday posted on his Twitter handle that bandits attacked a train Kaduna-Abuja route on Wednesday.

Sani said: “Yesterday (Wednesday) terrorists attacked the Kaduna-Abuja railway with an explosive and opened fire on the train, targeting the engine driver and the tank.

“This (Thursday) morning, I was onboard when our train ran over another explosive damaged rail.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the attack.

National Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, who spoke on Thursday during the inauguration of the APC State Congresses Appeal Committees at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja said:

“Nigerians by now have realized that the APC led-government of President Muhammadu Buhari means well for Nigerians and is doing everything possible to deliver infrastructure to Nigerians amidst difficult economic times, globally.

“We must stay united so we can defeat the agents of destruction who have vowed to set Nigeria backwards. Just this morning, an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train was attacked by criminals, depriving Nigerians the services it provides. This is so despicable, but together we shall overcome them”, he said.