A survivor of the Kaduna-Abuja train attack has blamed poor telecommunication network in the area of the attack on Monday for delay in reaching out to get help.
According to Shuaibu Adamu Alhassan, victims could not make calls to security agencies and emergency services because network was bad.
Alhassan said, “There was no mobile network within the vicinity, except for Etisalat and Airtel which were fluctuating. So it was difficult to call for assistance. It got to a point that when anyone attempted to make a call, and they see a sign of phone light from outside, they just shoot towards that direction.”
He praised the policemen that were the security personnel on board the train for giving a good fight.
Recalling the gallantry of the policemen attached to the train, Alhassan said, “When trouble started, the policemen on the train, actually tried their best, but from my estimation, they were not more than seven, so they positioned themselves.
“They went close to the doors and started exchanging fire with the bandits. When they discovered that the firepower of the bandits was overwhelming, they ended up removing their uniforms and everything that will identify them as security agents, then they joined us in lying down.
“Sincerely, the bandits had superior firepower, there was nothing the policemen could have done,” he said.
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Upon their rescue by the Nigerian military, Alhassan said, “We should be praying for our security agents because they are really trying. Before now, I used to think that they were not doing anything, but after that incident, I realised that they were trying their best but the security challenges are overwhelming.”