Former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, has been identified as one of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers who was shot by terrorists on Monday evening after the train was bombed and derailed by the gunmen.
Wakkala is reported to have been shot in the leg and currently hospitalised.
Sources also confirmed that out of 15 patients taken to St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital in Kaduna, two have been confirmed dead, including a lady medical doctor with the hospital.
“A former Deputy Governor of Zamfara Malam Ibrahim Wakkala was equally shot in the leg. Out of 15 patients brought to St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital, two are dead including a lady medical doctor with St Gerald.
“Two females moved to 44 Reference Hospital because of bullet wounds; they could not be treated at St Gerald’s,” the source said.
Unconfirmed report also said Muhammad Amin Mahmood, an aspirant in the just-concluded National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Northwest Zonal Youth Leadership, was shot during the attack on Monday.
The politician was on board the train and was one of those shot during the train ride which was heading to Kaduna from Abuja.
However, it was not clear how critical his injuries were or if he would survive.
“Meanwhile, two dead persons have been deposited at St. Gerald’s Catholic Hospital in Kaduna while some persons are being treated for gunshot injuries,” a source had told SaharaReporters.
“Some people have died, and the bandits kidnapped several persons,” a woman on the train said. “The army hasn’t been able to secure the area but people are running towards them in a staging area.”
In a Facebook post, another passenger, Anas Danmusa, had said, “Please this is an emergency. We are inside the train at the moment. Kidnappers planted explosives and the train engines have been ruined. We are helpless. Abuja to Kaduna train; gunshots still being fired around us. We are just under the seats praying to God while waiting for help. Since 8pm we have been here/ between Katari to Rijana; I am a living witness.”
He later added: “We are safe now.”
“The management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation claims they haven’t been able to speak with the train engineers and the driver. The train was travelling to Kaduna and was already 45 minutes from Rigasa Police Station.
“Even though the Nigeria Army states they’ve arrived and secured the trains and passengers, the management still hasn’t been able to touch base with the crew. They are not sure if the military secured it or not.
“They are on standby to send another coach from Abuja. The train tracks were bombed and the train was derailed. The terrorists derailed the whole train,” one of the sources had explained.
There were at least 970 passengers on board the train, according to sources familiar with the train service
