The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has confirmed the safety of about 170 out of the 362 passengers that boarded the AK9 Abuja to Kaduna train.
It would be Recalled that on March 28, some terrorist group, attacked the evening train service with explosives.
Although the total seat capacity of the train is 840 seats, the train Manifest shows that 362 passengers were in the train before the attack.
While Kaduna state government confirmed the death of eight passengers, 26 other were injured during the attack.
Issuing a statement on Saturday, Fidet Okhiria, the NRCs Managing Director, said the corporation was however collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure the rescue rest of the passengers.
”The Corporation, in continuation of its concerted effort through repeated calls, has been able to confirm the safety of 170 passengers, while 21 passengers are reported missing by the relatives who made calls to us.
”The corporation is seriously collaborating with the security agencies who had already swung into action, in line with the directive of Mr President to do everything possible to rescue all those that are still missing,” he said.
Mr Okhiria stated that the corporation had also heavily moved human and material resources to the accident site to ensure resumption of train services without further delays.
He said the move was to reduce the stress currently faced by its passengers in getting to their destinations.
He said:’ ‘In practical terms, a high powered restoration team, led by Directors have been working round the clock to re-rail the coaches affected by the bomb blast.
”There is a coordinated two-pronged simultaneous restoration approach. While Loco 2702 with re-railment and restoration materials departed Idu Station, Abuja, to the bomb blast site.
”Another team with Loco 2502 departed Rigasa Station, Kaduna, with re-railment and restoration materials to the same site.
”I am happy to inform you that as at the close of work on the 1st of April 2022, Coaches SP00004, SP00009, SP00012, SP00013 have all been re-railed and safely taken to our Rigasa Station in Kaduna.
