By John Ikani
The horror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train yesterday by gunmen suspected to be bandits has claimed many lives, including that of a young female doctor identified as Chinelo Megafu.
Megafu reportedly died from gunshot injuries sustained during the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train late Monday.
According to her friends, she worked at St Gerald’s hospital in Kaduna and resigned in February because she was planning to relocate abroad.
The University of Port Harcourt-trained Dental Surgeon had planned to relocate aboard on Friday.
She had during the attack announced on her Twitter that she was shot and asked for prayers.
She tweeted, “I’m in the train. I have been shot. Please pray for me.”
I'm in the train . I have been shot please pray for me.
— Chinelo (@nelo_x) March 28, 2022
The Abuja-Kaduna highway is one of the most dangerous roads in the country as kidnappers have been known to have ambushed vehicles at several points along the expressway.
Over the last few years this has pushed many to avoid the 150km (93-mile) journey by road instead opting for the rail link, which opened in 2016. It is more expensive but considered safer as the trains have armed guards on board.
An unknown number of passengers were on Monday abducted from the train, considered the safest way to get between the cities.
Authorities in Kaduna state say they are liaising with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to find out where all the passengers are and who exactly is missing.
Armed gangs carrying out killings and kidnappings for ransom have continued to unleash violence, especially in northern Nigeria despite military bombardments of their hideouts.
Monday’s attack is the second time the rail line between the cities has been targeted in the last six months, but is by far the most serious.
