Passengers aboard a Kaduna-Abuja train miraculously escaped a suspected kidnapping on Wednesday night after a failed bandit attack.
Reports revealed that the bandits then planted explosives on the rail track in an attempt to derail the train between Dutse and Rijana Stations.
The attack failed as the train refused to stop on the spot, thanks to the driver who managed to move it about 7 kilometres away from the attackers and towards Rigasa Station in Kaduna before stopping.
Confirming the attack, a former senatorial representative of the Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, on Facebook said that he witnessed a second attack on Thursday morning when their train ran over explosive.
He urged the authorities to suspend all train operations until the issue is resolved.
The Senator wrote: “Yesternight, Bandits attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train. They planted an explosive that damaged the rail track and shattered the windshield of the train engine. They also opened fire, targeting the driver and the tank.
“It happened between Dutse and Rijana stations. The Driver struggled to move towards Kaduna Rigasa station.
“This early morning, I was on board when our train ran over another explosive damaged railing. The train nearly skidded off its track, (sic) then we miraculously escaped.
“All Kaduna Abuja train operations need to be suspended for today until this issue is addressed,” Sen. Sani added.
