Passengers in hundred have been left stranded in the bush as a Kaduna – Abuja bound train broke down in Duste, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday.
It was gathered that the train which left the Rigasa Station at about 7.00am developed a mechanical fault shortly after departing the station.
It took the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s engineers three hours before they could fix the mechanical faults, The PUNCH learnt.
The train which actually left the Rigasa State at about 7.00am was fixed at about 10.15am.
“The train just took off at about 10.15am at Dutse,” Midat Joseph, an Assistant National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists told The PUNCH on the telephone.
He said the Abuja bound train broke down thrice, adding that he left his Kaduna residence early enough to board the train but regretted that he had been trapped in the forest.
While reliving his experience, Joseph described the incident as “unfortunate” and traumatising, praying never to experience such again.
He said, “I had a terrible experience which I don’t pray it repeats itself. The train stopped at a sub-station. You could imagine the experience at this period of insecurity.
“I am supposed to resume work at about 9.00am but not possible now. I am held up in the middle of a forest. I wouldn’t want to experience this again because I was feeling unsecured actually.
“The train actually broke down three times. The engineers were able to fix the fault before taken off around 10.15am.”
