Army chief visits scene of Abuja-Kaduna train attack, seeks review of rail security

Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, on Tuesday, visited the scene where a train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna was attacked.

The train was attacked by gunmen on Monday night while it was a few minutes away from the Kaduna station.

The number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, but among those killed are Chinelo Megafo, a dental surgeon.

Several persons are reported to have been kidnapped, while some travellers sustained gunshot injuries.

According to a statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesman, Yahaya said the attack shows the need for a review of the country’s rail security architecture.

“The COAS, who was accompanied by some principal staff officers of the Army Headquarters and the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, on arrival at scene, assessed the security situation around the general area of the attack and inspected the attacked train, as well as the rail track to evaluate the degree of damage,” the statement reads.

“He ordered the troops of the NA and other security agencies to intensify their search and rescue operations to ensure that the kidnapped victims are rescued unconditionally.

“The COAS has also assured Nigerians that the troops will be undeterred and vehement in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality.

“He urged members of the surrounding communities and all Nigerians to continue to avail troops with credible information to enhance their operations across the country.

“Gen Yahaya observed that the attack reverberates the need for critical stakeholders to review the security of railways across the country in order to achieve the desired security architecture for railway transportation.”

See photos below.