AKTS UPDATE (2 April 2022)
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) finds it incumbent to continue to update the general public on latest findings regarding the unfortunate incident of Bandit attack on AK 9 of Monday 28th March 2022 and efforts at restoring the service.
From the last Press Release, we confirmed that 4No. Coaches (SP 00004, SP 00009, SP00012 and SP00013) out of the 11No. Coaches involved in the incident have been re-railed and safely moved to Rigasa Station while work is on-going on track repairs. We did also state that 170 of the Passengers on-board the train are safe while 21 Passengers are reported missing.
At the end of work today (02/04/2022) the NRC’s restoration team has further re-railed four (4) more Coaches and two (2) of the coaches (SP 00007 and SP 00013) had been safely moved to Idu and Rigasa Stations respectively, the other two (2) Coaches are still at the site due to damaged tracks. This brings the total Coaches so far rerailed to 7 No. but only 5 No. successfully moved to the Stations. However, efforts are on to link the track. At the moment, a total of 80 meters of the affected section has been fixed including replacement of affected Sleepers and twisted Rails.
The Corporation also confirms that additional two (2) persons answered their calls today, bringing to a total of 172 Passengers on board the AK9 that are safe and at home. 21 Passengers are still reported missing, while repeated calls are being made to contact the remaining phone numbers on the manifest. Let us assure our esteem passengers and the general public that the Corporation in collaboration with the Security agencies will leave no stone unturned in our efforts at rescuing the missing persons.
Once again, the Corporation deeply condoles with those who lost loved ones and pray for the repose of the lost souls. We equally sincerely sympathise and empathise with our injured Passengers and indeed everyone on board the AK9 train of Monday 28th March, 2022 for the trauma this unfortunate incident has caused you.
Finally, please permit me to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Security Agencies (Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corp, etc.) for your support and cooperation so far. I specially thank the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for support and surprise visit to the accident site today. This has indeed boosted the morale of the men.
The NRC will continue to update the general public of developments to prevent misleading information and falsehood.
Thank you and God bless Nigeria.
ENGR. F.E.OKHIRIA ENSE, FCILT
MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO