Abuja-Kaduna train attack: Two dead as ex-Deputy Gov, APC aspirant, 15 passengers hospitalised

A former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala and Muhammad Amin Mahmood, an aspirant in the just-concluded National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been among the victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers who was shot by terrorists on Monday evening after the train was bombed and derailed by the gunmen.

The former deputy governor according to learnt by Newsflash Nigeria, was shot in the leg and is currently hospitalised.

Muhammad Amin Mahmood, an aspirant in the just-concluded National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Northwest Zonal Youth Leadership, was shot during the attack on Monday.

Sources also confirmed that out of 15 patients taken to St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital in Kaduna, two have been confirmed dead, including a lady medical doctor with the hospital.

“A former Deputy Governor of Zamfara Malam Ibrahim Wakkala was equally shot in the leg. Out of 15 patients brought to St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital, two are dead including a lady medical doctor with St Gerald.

“Two females moved to 44 Reference Hospital because of bullet wounds; they could not be treated at St Gerald’s,” the source said.

Newsflash Nigeria learnt that Muhammad Amin Mahmood was on board the train and was one of those shot during the train ride which was heading to Kaduna from Abuja.

However, it was not clear how critical his injuries were or if he would survive.

“Meanwhile, two dead persons have been deposited at St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital in Kaduna while some persons are being treated for gunshot injuries,” a source reported.

Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that the terrorists who attacked the Nigerian Railway Corporation train from Abuja to Kaduna on Monday evening had abducted some of the stranded passengers.

Newsflash Nigeria had obtained victims’ accounts which confirmed that some other persons were shot dead by the rampaging terrorists who operated for hours due to the absence of the Nigerian military and other security agencies.

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“Some people have died, and the bandits kidnapped several persons,” a woman on the train reported to newsmen.

“The army hasn’t been able to secure the area but people are running towards them in a staging area,” another source had added.

In a Facebook post, another passenger, Anas Danmusa, had said, “Please this is an emergency. We are inside the train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives and the train engines have been ruined. We are helpless. Abuja to Kaduna train; gunshots still being fired around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help. Since 8 pm we have been here/ between Katari to Rijana; I am a living witness.”

He later added, “We are safe now.”

Newsflash Nigeria earlier reported that the NRC could not yet reach its driver nor its engineers onboard the ill-fated train, adding to the anxiety of the already distressed passengers.

“The management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation claims they haven’t been able to speak with the train engineers and the driver. The train was travelling to Kaduna and was already 45 minutes from Rigasa Police Station.

“Even though the Nigeria Army states they’ve arrived and secured the trains and passengers, the management still hasn’t been able to touch base with the crew. They are not sure if the military secured it or not.

“They are on standby to send another coach from Abuja. The train tracks were bombed and the train was derailed. The terrorists derailed the whole train,” one of the sources had explained.

There were at least 970 passengers on board the train, according to sources familiar with the train service.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna government said the military had rescued the Kaduna-bound train passengers trapped by terrorists Monday night.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the government said information about the rescue mission was conveyed to security operatives.

Mr Awuwan said efforts are ongoing to move injured passengers to hospitals for urgent medical attention.

Mr Aruwan said the government received multiple reports of an attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train service around the Kateri-Rijana area.

He explained that relevant agencies were contacted upon receipt of the report, and security operatives were deployed to the area to secure the passengers on board.

Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, who was in constant touch with the security forces, commended their prompt response, the commissioner added.

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