Tragedy struck in Kuchiko village, a border community between the Federal Capital Territory’s Bwari Area Council and Niger State’s Tafa Local Government Area, when a train traveling from Kaduna State to Abuja fatally crushed twin siblings, Hassana and Hussaina Barau.
The victims were said to be preparing for their second year birthday by July this year.
A community leader, Andrew Dogonyaro, confirmed the incident to the Daily Trust on Tuesday, May 29, 2024, saying it happened around 10 a.m. on Saturday.
“The children used to visit their neighbours on their own. That’s how they got out of their home that day without anyone being aware,” he explained.
“A man sighted them from afar facing each other on the track and he attempted to take them off the track following horns from the train but it was late.”
He added that the accident was first reported at the police outpost in Sabon-Bwari and later at the Sabon-Wuse Division in Tafa LGA of Niger State.
SP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the incident.
“Information was received that on 24/5/2024, a moving train from Abuja heading to Kaduna crushed two girls named Hassana Baro and Hussaina Baro, who were about one year and six months old to death, while playing on the railway at Kuchiko village, via New-Bwari area in Tafa LGA,” he said.
He stated that the matter would be forwarded to the Railway Division in Kubwa, Abuja, for a comprehensive investigation and appropriate action to be taken.
