.Head of mother who pleaded for mercy was shattered –Sen. Kwari
.26 injured, Bank of Agric MD, Alwan Hassan among missing victims –Kaduna govt
.Bombard terrorist enclaves now, Senate tells military
.Osinbajo, COAS, IGP visit scene of tragedy
.It’s a barbaric act- Northern Govs
.Tinubu cancels 70th birthday colloquium in honour of dead.
IBRAHIM QUADRI
The gory details of the attack launched on the Kaduna-bound train on Monday evening continued to emerge on Tuesday.
The stories are ugly, animalistic and scary.
Further details emerged on the floor of the Senate during plenary on Tuesday when Senators recounted stories told them by their constituents, victims of the attack.
Many of the victims never survived the attack. Most had sent out passionate messages of help before they were killed like the young medical doctor, Chinelo Megafu Nwando.
Young Dr. Nwando, a staff at the St. Gerald’s Hospital in Kaduna, had tweeted, “I’m in the train, I have been shot. Please pray for me,” shortly after the train from Abuja to Kaduna was attacked by terrorists.
She died hours after she made the post on Twitter.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) confirmed her death in a statement.
“The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof (Dr) Innocent A O Ujah, FNMA, FNAmed, mni and indeed all Medical and Dental Practitioners under the auspices of NMA are deeply saddened by the tragic, horrific and preventable death of one of our members, Dr Chinelo Megafu Nwando, who is reported to have lost her life from injuries sustained from gun shots when the train she travelled in from Abuja to Kaduna was attacked by suspected bandits,” the statement read.
On the floor of the Senate during plenary on Tuesday, another gory details was given of how a woman was gruesomely murdered by the terrorists after pleading for her life.
Senator Abdu Kwari, who represents Kaduna North senatorial district in the red chamber, gave a graphic account of the horrible experiences of passengers in the ill-fated train.
Kwari spoke while contributing to a motion titled: “The continuing attacks on communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.”
Kwari lamented that the bandits shattered the head of a nursing mother who was also with her aged mother despite her repeated plea for mercy.
Kwari said: “What is happening today is to say the least very pathetic. And what was experienced yesterday in Kaduna is something that you will not wish even the worst of your enemies.
“We found ourselves yesterday entangled having live chats with people that were caught in the unfortunate incident and it was really scary.
“Mr. President, one of the women seated with a baby in her arms in that ill-fated train was calling for mercy. She had an aged mother by her side and was pleading that she brought the mother for medical attention in Abuja.
“She was pleading for mercy. Instead of giving mercy, Mr President, she had her head shattered right before other travelers in that train.
“Fortunately some of the military personnel that were inside the train had to induct some people the act of crawling that was what saved the disastrous outing of that train and many of them crawled from the VIP coaches to the economy coaches and that is why the casualties recorded were reduced.
“Unfortunately the drones and other advanced technologies that have been advocated for on this floor in this Chamber have not yet been acquired by the government and the response time was also not good enough for a country like Nigeria.
“We ought to as a country be doing better than we did. We need to get our acts together to ensure that peace comes to our country at this very point in time.”
Senator Gabriel Suswam (Benue North-East) lamented that Kaduna had become the new theatre of insecurity.
He said the lingering activities of terrorists in the state make it imperative for the appropriate authorities to take decisive action.
The lawmaker attributed the inability by the military to curtail growing incidents of terrorism to “a clear failure of leadership.”
Senator Sani, in his lead debate, said the Senate: “Notes also that bandits attacked a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers around Kateri – Rijana axis in Kaduna, just a few kilometers to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the State. The train derailed after the first wave of attacks.
“Grenades and RPG were used. They rained bullets on all the coaches. Some passengers were killed, while many sustained bullet wounds. There are reports that some of the passengers were abducted.
“The terrified passengers only breathed a sigh of relief when security agencies arrived and secured the train and the area. It’s been a reign of undiluted terror.”
Meanwhile, The passenger manifest for the ill-fated Kaduna-bound train indicated that of the 362 people that boarded the train, eight people lost their lives, 26 passengers were injured, while some are still unaccounted for.
This information is contained in a statement issued Tuesday by Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
He said the manifest of the train service AK9, attacked by terrorist on Monday, was obtained from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Aruwan, who said search operation was continuing, explained that the list did not include NRC staff and security officials who were on board.
According to him, the manifest reveals that 398 passengers bought tickets for the trip, but 362 were validated as having boarded the train through the recognised turnstile.
“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 who wish to make inquiries are requested to contact the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency on the phone line 09088923398,” Aruwan said.
The Commissioner said further updates will be communicated to the public.
In a swift reaction , President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate conclusion of all the processes for the implementation of the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution for the Abuja to Kaduna railway line and that this be extended to cover the Lagos-Ibadan railway line.
He also directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation management to speedily repair the damaged lines and resume normal service without delay.
The President gave these directives in Abuja, Tuesday, after receiving briefs from the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, as well as Major General Samuel Adebayo, the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi in the State House.
Additionally, the President charged the law enforcement chiefs to bring back all passengers kidnapped and ensure that each of the callous terrorists are hunted down and made to face justice for their heinous acts as no one or group should be allowed to make the country prostrate.
President Buhari reiterated his earlier directive that the military should deal ruthlessly with terrorists. He asked them to be more decisive and not spare anyone unlawfully wielding the AK 47 weapon.
“No one should be allowed to hold the country to ransom,” said the President.
President Buhari strongly condemned the bombing of the passenger train, describing it as a “matter of grave concern.”
According to the President, “like most Nigerians, I am deeply pained by its occurrence, the second of its type, which has resulted in the death of a yet to be determined number of passengers and others who suffered injuries.
“The attack on the train, a safe means of transport to many, is callous; and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers for the injured,” he said.
The President commended the Law Enforcement agencies for their prompt response and emergency personnel who were responsible for the evacuation and treatment of the injured persons.
Meanwhile, The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has visited the scene of the attack on the Kaduna bound train at Rijana Area of Kaduna State, which occurred on the 28th March, 2022, at about 8.30pm.
The IGP, in company of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya; GOC 1 Div of the Nigerian Army; Deputy Commissioner of Police, CID, Kaduna State Command, and other senior officers, arrived at the scene at about 1201hrs of today 29th March, 2022 for on-the-spot assessment.
A statement issued in Abuja by the Acting Force Spokesman of the Nigeria Police CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that visit and assessment of the scene will avail the security agencies with relevant first-hand information on the incident necessary for rejigging operational strategy to come up with a robust action plan for the prevention of a reoccurrence.
Also,The Northern Governors’ Forum, has described the train attack conveying 970 passengers on Monday along Kaduna-Abuja route by terrorists, as ‘babaric and horrifying’.
The forum in a statement by its chairman and governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, expressed sorrow and fury over the attack.
The statement was conveyed by Lalong’s Director of Press and Public Affairs , Dr. Makut Macham, on Tuesday in Jos.
The forum condemned the attack where terrorists reportedly use explosives to blow up Abuja-Kaduna rail track, leaving some passengers killed ,injured and kidnapped.
“The entire Governors and people of the region as well as other Nigerians are distressed over the unfortunate attack on innocent commuters by terrorists, who have demonstrated total disregard for human lives and compassion.
“The forum sympathises with the families of those killed as well as those kidnapped or injured.
“It condemns the terrorist act in totality and commends the armed forces for their quick intervention which prevented further escalation of the incident.
“The northern governors therefore encourage the security forces to intensify their search and rescue efforts in ensuring that those kidnapped are released without further delay and the fleeing terrorists are arrested and brought to justice.
“The forum is working with the federal government and Gov.Nasir El-rufai of Kaduna State, to ensure that this incident and other recent terrorist attacks on communities in the state are dealt with decisively,”.
The forum also called on Nigerians to support security forces in their investigations and mandate of protecting lives and property through volunteering relevant information about criminal elements in the region and the country.
It said that state governments in the region had made more investments in the security sector in collaboration with the federal government, to boost the capacity of security forces.
The forum also appreciated the compassion demonstrated by Nigerians in the donation of blood to victims currently undergoing medical care in various health facilities. (NAN
However, The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed condolence to the families of its late Secretary-General, Mr Ozigi Musa- Lawal and state Chairman, Kwara Chapter, Mr Akin Akinsola, who died in the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
TUC’s President, Mr Quadri Olaleye, expressed his condolence in a statement he issued on Tuesday in Lagos.
‘’The congress condoles with the families and friends of our comrades and the good people of Kogi for this irreparable loss; may God rest their souls. Amen, ‘’ he said.
Olaleye said that Musa-Lawal and Akinsola were among those killed by terrorists in the Abuja-Kaduna train bombing that occurred on March 28 at about past 7:00pm.
‘’They were on their way to Kaduna for an official assignment slated for Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
‘’Comrade Ozigi served in the capacity of General Secretary, Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), an affiliate of TUC for almost two decades before he joined the Congress in 2012.
‘’Comrade Akinsola was a staff of the Dangote Flour Mill under OLAM; they were both seasoned Trade Unionists,’’ he said.
He called on government at all levels to rise up to the occasion to stopping the killings of innocent Nigerians.
Olaleye said: ‘’As it stands, nowhere is safe now – we cannot travel by air; road is not safe and neither is the rail.
‘’Is Nigeria a failed state? It is unfortunate.’’
As mark f honour to the attacked victims,the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday cancelled the colloquium organised for him to celebrate his 70th birthday as the event was about to officially kick- start, shortly after the national anthem already said.
Tinubu, who took to the podium, accompanied by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and some other personalities, said he had an important message to pass, urging everyone to listen.
The former Lagos State governor, and also a presidential aspirant on the APC platform for the 2023 General Elections, noted that the occasion was supposed to be a joyful celebration of his 70th birthday, expressing gratitude to God for allowing him to see the day, but said he had just been informed of the scores of people that lost their lives in the train attack that occurred in Kaduna State, describing the incident as very sad.
“It is a very sad incident and it calls for sober reflection,” he said.
“To be here dancing and celebrating doesn’t show enough concerns as a senior citizen,” he added.
He, therefore, announced the cancellation of the event, saying this was also based on some consultations he had engaged in with some of the personalities around, and an agreement was reached.
