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– Eight bodies recovered, 26 injured
– Several unaccounted for, as search operations continue.
The Kaduna State Government said it 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 Mr Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, from 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, 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.
Meanwhile, Governor Nasir El-rufaihas welcomed Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Kaduna. The VP has arrived at the 44 Military Hospital to see some of the persons that were injured in the train attack.
Osinbajo is in Kaduna to receive first-hand information and sympathize with the people and Government of the State over yesterday’s unfortunate attacks on Kaduna-Abuja train.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff had ordered the troops of the Nigerian Army to liaise with other security agencies to intensify their search and rescue operations to ensure that the kidnapped victims of Abuja-Kaduna train are rescued unconditionally.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-General Faruk Yahaya visited the scene of Kaduna-Abuja train attack to assess the security situation around the general area of the attack and inspected the attacked train, as well as the rail track to evaluate the degree of damage.
Earlier in the morning, Chief of Defence staff, Gen Lucky Irabor and IG of Police, Usman Alkali were at the scene of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack to assess the situation as all the security agencies activated rescue operations to rescue all the victims of the unfortunate event.
