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The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended selling tickets for its Abuja-Kaduna train line operations, following a bomb scare.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Shehu Sani and a host of other Nigerians escaped death after bandits allegedly bombed a section of the Abuja-Kaduna rail track and allegedly opened fire on one of the trains plying the route.
While there is no official statement from the authorities on the incident yet, the NRC has stopped selling tickets on its e-ticketing platform.
TNG reports the NRC had introduced the e-ticketing platform as the only option to book tickets for traveling in the Abuja-Kaduna train route, following unwholesome practices by ticket racketeers.
A visit to the e-ticketing platform shows a scrolling widget with the message: “due to unforseen circumstances, train services have been immediately suspended for the safety of our dear passengers. Efforts are in place to restore service. Further information would follow immediately service is restored”.
Attempts to book a ticket on the platform proved abortive as the fields to select source station, destination station and date to travel have been temporarily disabled.
Recall that following the bomb scare, former Kaduna lawmaker Sani had urged the NRC to suspend all Abuja-Kaduna train operations until the issue is addressed.
In a tweet, the former Kaduna lawmaker alleged that the bandits had attacked a Kaduna-Abuja train on Wednesday with explosives. He alleged that the terrorists also opened fire on the engine driver and tank of the train.
Sani revealed that he was on board when the train he boarded on Thursday ran over a rail track damaged by the bandits on Wednesday, and that it took a miracle for them to escape.
“Yesterday, terrorists attacked the Kaduna Abuja railway with an explosive & opened fire on the train, targeting the Engine Driver & the Tank.This morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged rail track. It took a miracle for us to escape,” Senator Sani tweeted.
According to Senator Sani, the bandits planted the explosive that damaged the rail track along the rail track and that the explosion shattered the windshield of the train engine.
“They also opened fire, targeting the driver and the tank. It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations. The driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
“This early morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railings. The train nearly skid off its track, then we miraculously escaped.
“All Kaduna Abuja train operations need to be suspended for today until this issue is addressed,” Sani stated via his official Facebook page.
Abuja – Kaduna Train attacked last night.
The rail track bombarded today. Where are we heading to?By Malam
Sincerely, the State Government are treating this security matter with kids gloves. The report I read was very disturbing. It is now joint terrorist-bandits operation!
While here in the South West they are enjoying peace, the North, especially Kaduna State always report scores of kidnap and/or murder victims!
May Allah save us from this calamity.
Posted by Engr Auwal-bz Nuhu on Thursday, 21 October 2021
Meanwhile, efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige for details on the incident proved abortive at the time of filing this report.
Also, there is no official statement from the authorities yet; however, the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Station Manager, Paschal Nnorli has confirmed to PUNCH that there was an attack on the train, but could not tell if it was with an explosive or not.
“Yes, there was an attack, but right now I cannot confirm if it was an explosive or bomb attack as people are saying.
“Investigations are ongoing and I’ll give you updates as they come in. Out engineers have been mobilised to the area. And right now we have suspended services,” Nnorli said.
It was also gathered that security agents in Kaduna had scuttled an attempt by bandits who tried to plant explosives around certain bridges in the State.
Yesternight,Bandits attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train.They planted an explosive that damaged the rail track and shattered the windshield of the train engine.They also opened fire,targeting the Driver and the Tank.It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations.The Driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
This early morning,I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railings.The train nearly skid off its track, then we miraculously escaped.
All Kaduna Abuja train operations need to be suspended for today until this issue is addressed.Senator Shehu Sani.
Posted by Ukan Kurugh on Thursday, 21 October 2021