KOREDE FOGO
Seven out of the 20 crew members of the Ill-fated AK9 Abuja-Kaduna train bombed, on Monday, 28th March, 2022, by gunmen suspected to be bandits have been declared missing.
According to a latest incident report on the Ill-fated train signed by the managing director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, two of the 7 officials of the Corporation were missing, three of 10 janitors missing, one dead while two onboard caterers were missing and one was said to be in good condition.
NRC also announced that 62 telephone numbers of the passenger registered on the travellers manifest does not exist.
The corporation further revealed that 46 of the telephone numbers are either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning while 33 phone numbers were ringing but not yet picked.
Engr. Okhiria said that additional five persons excluding the 191 persons already reported, have been confirmed safe while 22 persons are still reported missing by their relatives just as 8 persons have been confirmed dead.
The NRC boss further reported that an additional coach has been rerailed to Rigasa station which brings to eight the total number of coaches rerailed to safety. He said that intensive work is ongoing to repair the damaged track to ensure the recovery of all the coaches and locomotives.
He said, “Status of 362 validated passengers on board: 191 persons on the manifest are now confirmed safe and at their various homes (Additional 5 persons confirmed safe today).
“46 phone numbers on the manifest are still either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning. 33 phone numbers on the manifest are ringing but still no response from the other end. 62 phone numbers on the manifest when called response non-existent.22 persons are reported missing by their relatives and eight persons confirmed dead.
The MD reconfirmed that the number of passengers were 362 and reassured that NRC remains committed to the safety of her Passengers and Staff on board the ill-fated Ak9 train service.
He said that the Corporation will continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure all persons being held are rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.
He expressed empathy with those that lost their loved ones and those injured in the attack and now recuperating from the hospital.