Only 362 were on board attacked Abuja-Kaduna train – NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation says only 362 passengers boarded the NRC AK9 Abuja-Kaduna train which was attacked by terrorists on Monday.

NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria in a statement on Thursday, said the figures going round of a higher number of passengers on board was incorrect.

According to the NRC boss, the corporation had eight personnel and some security operatives attached to the train.

“398 passengers purchased tickets to travel on the NRC AK9 service, and 362 passengers actually boarded.

“The entire seat capacity of the train in question is 840 passengers. Therefore, the figure of 970 being circulated cannot be correct,” he said.

Okhiria further said that every passenger who boarded the train had his ticket linked to the central system, which was used in compiling the manifest.

“Ticket checkers also validate the tickets of every passenger via electronic validators linked to the central system to verify our manifest and the integrity of the process has never been in doubt,” Okhiria said.

“While we continue to sympathise with the nation, we kindly implore members of the press, social media sites, and the general public to desist from spreading false information at this delicate time,” Okhiria added.