Kaduna train attack: Missing passengers now 22, phone numbers of 51 inaccessible-NRC

By Emmanuel Adeleke

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said 22 passengers are still missing following last Monday’s  attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train.

Giving an update in a statement issued on Sunday, the NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria,  said 51 phone numbers on the manifest are either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning.

Okhiria said NRC has confirmed the safety of 186 passengers, representing  an increase of 14 persons from the last tally.

According Okhiria, 35 phone numbers are ringing but no response from the other end,  while 60 phone numbers, when contacted, are said to be non-existent.

“Two coaches earlier re-railed were safely moved to Rigasa Station. This made the total number of recovered coaches and safely moved to NRC stations to 7.

“Intensive work continues on track repairs. More concrete sleepers were moved to site while some section of twisted tracks has been straightened,” he added.

Eight passengers on board the train have been confirmed dead since the incident last Monday.

The NRC had announced the suspension of the Abuja-Kaduna railway operation following the attack.