Sequel to the Kaduna-Abuja train attack by some terrorists on March 28, relatives of the victims have started expressing grief over the whereabouts of their loved ones, while praying for their safe return from wherever they may be.
The relatives were observed to have become traumatised because they did not know the fate and the whereabouts of their loved ones.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews at the train station on Tuesday in Kaduna that the train officials were yet to give them satisfactory answers regarding the fate of their loved ones.
Mr Abdulaziz Kassim, a brother to one of the victims, seen consoling their distraught mother at the train station, said he spoke with his brother few hours before news broke out about the sad incident.
“He has been missing since yesterday’s tragic incident occurred; we had of it in the night and that is why we came here this morning, his number is going through but there has been no response.
“The train officials are yet to tell us anything about the missing persons. They, however, said some were at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, we went there but we couldn’t find him, we pray that God should keep them and return them back to us safely,” he prayed.
Also, Gideon Gambo, an elder brother to two of the victims of the train attack, said he boarded the train from Kaduna to Abuja on the fateful day.
“When we reached Abuja, I called my two brothers, Jessy Gambo and Gayus Gambo individually , to inform them that I had arrived and that I would see them the following day so that we can return to Kaduna together.
“They said they were in a hurry to meet up an appointment, and they will take the next trip to Kaduna. Later at about 10.55 p.m., the Chief Security Officer of the train who is my friend called to inform me of the sad event.
“Then, I immediately called my brothers but their numbers were not going through. I had to drive down to Kaduna this early morning to get information on what is happening and the state of my brothers whose whereabouts are unknown and that of others.
“I called one of the cleaners who I know is working with the train station, he said they are also yet to see or hear from their colleagues who were on duty when the tragic incident happened.
“Officials of the train station are yet to give us any detailed information, our prayers is that God should keep them safe wherever they are,”Gambo prayed.
Also speaking, some of the members of the taxi drivers union at the train station said eight of their members felt victims of the tragic incident.
A senior official of the union who craved anonymity while speaking with NAN said that only four out of the eight members of their union who were victims of the attack came back devastated.
He said the whereabouts of the rest were still unknown and that was why they trooped out to the station’s management to seek first hand information but we were yet to be given satisfactory answers.
Another relative of a victim, Esther Musa, who was seen shedding tears, said she also came from Abuja in the early hours of the day to find out about her mother who was a passenger in the train.
“My mother, Mrs Elizabeth Musa, came to visit her ailing brother. Since the incident, her number has not been going through, where ever she may be, I prayer she is safe and will return to us in Jesus name,” she prayed.
The officials of the train station when contacted for comments or any information regarding the missing persons declined comment.
Attempts to speak with the top management of the train station also proved abortive. (NAN)
