Train Derails Inside Forest In Kogi, 148 Stranded Passengers Rescued To Safety
The stranded passengers and crew members aboard the train which derailed in Kogi State, have been evacuated to safety by security forces.
The train conveying 148 passengers and 30 crew members derailed in a thick forest, at a location between Ajaokuta and Itakpe, around 12 noon on Sunday.
The train had departed Ujevwu in Delta State, and was scheduled to stop over at Itakpe to pick passengers when it derailed at kilometre 300.
Former chairman of Bayelsa State vigilante agency, Prince Duoye Koroye, who was in the train said four of the train’s coaches and the head coach were badly damaged.
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The incident coming days after the abduction of passengers waiting to board train at Igueben train station in Edo State caused panic among the stranded passengers.
Some of the passengers had started moving away from the site to avoid likely attack by bandits.
The coordinator of the Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Engineer Sanni Abduganiy said troops, policemen and officers of the national security and civil defence corps were immediately drafted to the site to provide security to the stranded passengers.
The stranded passengers, according to him, were later conveyed in vehicles to their various destinations.
Meanwhile, the NRC has suspended service on the route.
A message sent to The PUNCH by the Coordinator of Warri Itakpe Train Service, Sanni Abdulganiyu, disclosed that the Warri Itakpe Train WITS 01 derailed at Km 30 Ajaokuta-Itakpe section of the track at about 12:30 pm on Sunday, adding that no casualty was recorded.
The message further stated that the cause of the derailment was yet to be ascertained, noting that all 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated successfully.
The message reads, ”Thankfully, there was no fatality and no casualty. We were immediately alerted and security personnel comprising the Army, Police, NSCDC, and the community vigilante were immediately drafted to the accident point with the assistance of the local government chairman.
“All the 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated to a safe place and arrangements were made to convey 148 passengers to their various destinations and they have been successfully conveyed.
“The cause of the derailment is not yet determined. Due to this incident, the service along the corridor has been suspended. Further details would be communicated to members of the public.
