By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
As efforts to rescue and reunite passengers of the ill fated Abuja-Kaduna AK9 6pm train, bombed between Rijana and Rigasa on Monday 28th March continues, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that 62 telephone numbers of the passenger registered on the travellers manifest does not exist.
The corporation further revealed that 46 of the telephone numbers are either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning while 33 phone numbers are ringing but not yet picked.
In a statement on Tuesday night, the corporation’s Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Okhiria said that additional five persons excluding the 191 persons already reported, have been confirmed safe while 22 persons are still reported missing by their relatives just as 8 persons have been confirmed dead.
He further disclosed that there were 20 Train Crew on board; seven NRC staff out of which five persons are safe, but two declared missing; 10 Janitors out of which six are safe, three missing, one dead just as there were three Caterers on board out of which one is safe while two are still missing.
The NRC boss further reported that an additional coach has been rerailed to Rigasa station which brings to eight the total number of coaches rerailed to safety. He said that intensive work is ongoing to repair the damaged track to ensure the recovery of all the coaches and locomotives.
He said, “Status of 362 validated passengers on board: 191 persons on the manifest are now confirmed safe and at their various homes (Additional 5 persons confirmed safe today).
“46 phone numbers on the manifest are still either switched off or not reachable since Tuesday morning.
“33 phone numbers on the manifest are ringing but still no response from the other end.
“62 phone numbers on the manifest when called response non-existent.
“22 persons are reported missing by their relatives.
“8 persons confirmed dead.
“There were a total of 20No. Train Crew on board: 7No. NRC Staff, (5No. okay and 2No missing)
“10No. Janitors (6No. okay, 3No. missing and 1No. dead)
“3No on Board Caterers (1No. Okay and 2No. missing)”
The MD reconfirmed that the number of passengers were 362 and reassured that NRC remains committed to the safety of her Passengers and Staff on board the ill-fated Ak9 train service.
He said that the Corporation will continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure all persons being held are rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.
He expressed empathy with those that lost their loved ones and those injured in the attack and now recuperating from the hospital.
The Corporation, he said, is appreciative of all the support and cooperation received so far from the security agencies and assure that NRC will continue to update the general public of new developments.
