A routine train journey to Abuja turned into a distressing ordeal when a locomotive broke down in a remote part of Kogi State, leaving passengers stranded and forcing them to trek for hours through dense forest.
A Marxist activist, Kola Edokpayi, who shared footage of the incident, said he had opted for the train from Agbor to Itakpe after being unable to secure a flight to Abuja.
However, the train reportedly developed a technical fault deep within what he described as an “evil forest”, an isolated area with no mobile network, known for herder activity and security risks.
“We became apprehensive,” Edokpayi recalled. “We were stranded in the middle of nowhere, and with no idea how long it would take to fix the train, we decided to start trekking.”
According to him, passengers embarked on what he described as an “endurance trek,” walking for more than three hours in search of help. In a surprising twist, Edokpayi said they encountered Fulani herders who were “remarkably friendly” and offered them assistance.
“The Fulani herders we met were helpful and kind. They guided us through unfamiliar paths,” he said.
Edokpayi used the experience to call on the federal government to urgently prioritize maintenance of railway infrastructure and ensure passenger safety.
“Flights are canceled without notice, roads are plagued by kidnappers and bad conditions, and now trains are breaking down in forests. May God help us,” he lamented.
The incident has rekindled memories of the March 28, 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack, when terrorists detonated explosives on the tracks, derailing the train before opening fire. At least eight people were killed, dozens injured, and over 60 abducted.
In the aftermath of that attack, the Nigerian Railway Corporation suspended operations on the route, and the federal government faced intense criticism over lapses in transportation security. Many abducted victims were held for months, some released only after prolonged negotiations and ransom payments.
