The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has cautioned some Nigerians against the spread of false information concerning the Abuja-Kaduna train attack on Monday.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mr Fidet Okhiria, NRC’s Managing Director, implored members of the press, social media sites, and the general public to desist from such.
According to him, it is a volatile and delicate time and the emotions of the victims’ families could be triggered.
”Our attention has, however, been drawn to the misleading and insensitive information circulating on social media concerning the number of passengers on the train.
”For the avoidance of any doubt, please note that the Abuja-Kaduna service is run on a fully automated e-ticket system with entry and exit turnstiles that validate every passenger onboard our trains.
”Ticket checkers also validate the tickets of every passenger via electronic validators linked to the central system to verify the integrity of our manifest.
”About 398 passengers purchased tickets to travel on the NRC AK9 service, but 362 passengers boarded the AK9 service.
”The entire seat capacity of the train in question is 840 passengers; therefore, the figure of 970 being circulated cannot be correct.
“The AK9 service is the last service out of Abuja on a Monday evening and is usually at less than half capacity.
”Passengers on board the AK9 service on Monday have confirmed that the train was certainly not run at full capacity.
”The NRC is continuing its efforts to reach out to the passengers using the comprehensive manifest to obtain valid information about their present condition,” Okhiria stated.
He expressed regret at the lives lost due to the attack while praying for the quick recovery of injured persons.
NAN
