Revealed: Hoodlums, not bandits carried out the attack on an Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday

September 15 12:42 2020 by The Ajasa News Print This Article

By Martin Odiete, Abuja

The Ministry of Transportation has said that the attack on trains KA4 along the Abuja- Kaduna precisely between Asham and Kubwa on Monday was carried out by hoodlums and not bandits.

Though, it was widely reported that the attack on the train was carried out by bandits. There was no official statement by the Nigeria Railway Corporation but a statement from the ministry on Tuesday noted that the reports on bandits attacks on the train was false.

Quoting the NRC Managing Director,  Engr. Fidet Okhiria as saying that it is a regular occurrence of hoodlums throwing heavy stones at moving trains along the Abuja- Kaduna route. The Staement noted further the NRC MD has revealed that one of the ‘stone thrower’ has been arrested by the security agencies. “There was no bandits attacks on the train, it’s just a rumour otherwise they will see the bullet all over the train. It was hoodlums that threw stones on the train and because the Police got one suspect. In the night more hoodlums came out to attack the train in protest against the arrest made in the afternoon.

“NRC has, however,  spoken to security agencies to help us prevent such future occurrences and intervene in the matter, so they will know how best to deal with the situation. “We however,  urged the public using the train not to panic, as the Minister of Transportation and NRC will ensure safety of Nigerians on that route.”

It also quoted Paschal Nnorli, the Manager Abuja-Kaduna Train Service whom he qouted as saying that the train got to Idu station on Monday and there was no bandits attack.

“The attention of Nigerian Railway Corporation has been drawn to fake online news that the KA4 train from Kaduna to Abuja was attacked this afternoon(Monday) by armed bandits between Asham and Kubwa.

“This news is false. In between Asham and Kubwa sections,  some hoodlums  threw stones and broke the windscreen of our locomotive.  The crew and armed police escort went after them, the train, however, continued its trip down to Idu,” The statement concluded.