A former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani, reported that suspected bandits had attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed that suspected bandits destroyed part of the Abuja-Kaduna railway line with explosives on Wednesday, forcing rail traffic on the line to be disrupted.
According to a report in the Nigerian Tribune newspaper, NRC director-general Fidet Okhiria said explosives damaged the railroad tracks in a location between Dutse and Rijana, an area where numerous bandit attacks have been recorded along the Kaduna Abuja highway.
Okhiria said the company is making efforts to restore rail traffic on the line.
"Efforts are currently being made to ensure that rail traffic along the Kaduna-Abuja line is fully restored," the official said.
A former Kaduna Central district senator, Shehu Sani, previously reported on his Facebook page that suspected bandits had attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train. He said the bandits placed an explosive Wednesday night that damaged the tracks and smashed the train's windshield.
Mr. Sani said the armed men also opened fire on the train on Thursday morning and targeted the train's driver and tank. “It happened between the Dutse and Rijana stations. The driver struggled to get to the Kaduna Rigasa train station.
“I was on board this morning when our train crashed into another ramp that had been damaged by an explosive. The train almost skidded and we miraculously escaped. All rail operations at Kaduna Abuja must be suspended for today until this problem is resolved, ”wrote Mr. Sani.
An NRC member quoted by the Nigerian Daily said the attack was fatal.
“The bandits first attacked the last Abuja-Kaduna train with the number AK9 between Rijana and Dutse. The train came under heavy fire, but had trouble stuttering for about seven kilometers and stopped when the shots damaged the fuel tank, "said the newspaper, citing the unnamed staff.
“At the time of the attack, the train was unable to connect to Abuja. A few hours later contact was made and an emergency locomotive arrived after midnight.
“And then the morning train from Kaduna to Abuja with the number KA2 also drove on broken tracks but finished the journey successfully. Suspected explosive devices were placed on the tracks, but God in His infinite mercy saved the travelers and the train.
On Monday, the NRC announced the reduction of scheduled passenger traffic on the road from 10 to four per day, citing maintenance work.