Kaduna train attack: TUC, NMA mourn (See pictures of some victims)

Musa-Lawal Ozigi, Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), was killed during the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday.

Akin Akinsola, Kwara State Chairman of TUC, was also said to have been killed during the incident. The news about the attack by gunmen on the train which was on its way to Kaduna from Abuja, had sent shockwaves across the country.

Confirming the death of the TUC officials, Quadri Olaleye, President of the Union, said they were heading to Kaduna for an official assignment. 

“Comrade Ozigi served in the capacity of General Secretary, Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA), an affiliate of TUC for almost two decades before he joined the Congress in 2012,” the statement reads. 

“Comrade Akinsola was a staff of Dangote Flour Mill under OLAM. They were both seasoned Trade Unionists.”

The Union called on governments at all levels, especially the Federal Government, to work towards securing the lives and property of Nigerians.

“As it stands, nowhere is safe now – we can not travel by air, road is not safe and neither is the rail. Is Nigeria a failed state? It is unfortunate,” TUC said. 

“The Congress condoles with the families and friends of our comrades and the good people of Kogi State for this irreparable loss.”.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed sadness over the death of one of its members, Dr Chinelo Megafu Nwando, a member of the Association, who died after sustaining gunshot injuries during the terrorists attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train on Monday.

The NMA also expressed worries over situation in the country which is fast becoming a recurrent decimal, thus worsening the alarming effects of brain drain, which in many instances have been attributable to the worsening security situation in the country.

A statement by the NMA through Dr Aniekeme Uwah, the National Publicity Secretary of the association, observed that the news of the death of the lady speaks of the worsening security situation in the country. The statement reads: “The NMA President, Professor Innocent A O Ujah and indeed all Medical and Dental Practitioners under the auspices of NMA are deeply saddened by the tragic, horrific and preventable death of one of our members, Dr Chinelo Megafu Nwando who is reported to have lost her life from injuries sustained from gunshots when the train she travelled in from Abuja to Kaduna was attacked by suspected bandits.“

As an association, we vehemently decry the worsening insecurity in the country which has made all of us and Nigerians as a whole vulnerable to violent attacks by hoodlums, bandits, kidnappers and terrorists who are currently having a field day causing us deep sorrows and severe pains. The untimely death of the young, promising doctor who served at the Kaduna State Dental Centre and worked with St Gerrard’s Hospital, Kakuri, while striving to earn a honest living is one other death too many.

“The Association notes that needless blood letting and senseless loss of lives is fast becoming a recurrent decimal in our country, thus worsening the alarming effects of brain drain, which in many instances have been attributable to the worsening security situation in the country. The Association hereby calls on the security agencies to urgently reorganise the security architecture in the country with focus on intelligence gathering in order to avoid these carnages across the country.

“The Association also recommends that the Federal Government gives a strong consideration to the establishment of state police to further compliment the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force. The recruitment of more security personnel and the provision of modern security gadgets and ammunition for them can’t be overemphasised.

“Lastly, the association prays God to grant the families of Dr Chinelo and other victims of the very unfortunate incidence, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.“We also pray for the speedy recovery of all those who sustained various forms of injuries from gun shots while trying to escape the attack.”

nAfrica Update could not ascertain the number of casualties from the attack, but there are strong indications that about 8 persons may have lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. h Isa Kofar-Mata, a Director at the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), was also killed during the attack.