One of the survivors of the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train has narrated his ordeal, saying nine people were killed, and many others were abducted.
Abdulyazid Ahmed, who spoke to a Voice of America (VOA) journalists, said many people were also injured, some of them critically.
Below is a translation of the interview which was conducted in Hausa.
My name is Abdulyazid Ahmad
Can you tell us what happened?
We left Abuja for Kaduna at 6:10pm and we were told that our trip will last two hours, fifteen minutes. On our way, about 10 minutes to eight, a bomb went off on the rail track. I was inside SP 17 and I started hearing sounds of gunshots between the security on board and the attackers. Not long after, the attackers succeeded in entering the train, they even entered our coach and they entered many coaches, they took away many people and killed one person. Luckily for us they left our coach when we were only about 10 people remaining.
They entered the VIP coaches and took away many people. One of the people they took away luckily escaped and returned to the scene. He said they came with many vehicles including Sharon buses. They shot some people. Those confirmed killed are nine people during the attack, excluding those who sustained gunshot wounds on their legs or other parts of their bodies
How did you know the driver was among those killed?
We actually saw him when he came out of the train trying to escape, but he was shot dead. The policemen in the train know him and that’s what they said.
Did you see the attackers?
I heard them when they were talking. They were chanting Allahu Akbar (God is great), take them away, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar stand up. That was what they kept saying.
How were you able to escape?
I initially hid under the seats and continued praying. They were coming to us, just about two seats away before they saw someone that they shot. That was how they left us.
Do you have an idea of the number of people taken into the bush?
Honestly, they are many.
You said soldiers have arrived? Were they inside the train or were they deployed because of the attack?
No the soldiers were deployed, they were about 300 or so.
So they are giving you cover before they come an evacuate you?
Yes, they brought us out onto a hill and we are all seated. They said some will come and evacuate us but we should leave the train.
So everything is calm now?
Yes, but the soldiers asked us to switch off the lights from our handsets.
Is it true that the attack happened around Rijana which is notorious?
No, we have passed Rijana and we were less than 30 minutes to Rigasa when the attack occurred.
Are there injured people among you?
Yes, some are actually badly injured, including old people who were overcome by panic, and a woman who had asthma attack. One of the people that died might have had cardiac arrest.
Where are the dead bodies?
They are inside the train. We have climbed onto the hill and it would be difficult to be able to take a dead body along. We really saw hell. But Almighty Allah saved us. We were traumatized for over two hours, uncertain of our fate.
