An Abuja-bound train from Kaduna State crushed twin children, Hassana and Hussaina Barau, to death at Kuchiko village, a border community between Bwari Area Council of the FCT and Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The victims were expected to celebrate their two-year birthday in July this year.
A community leader, Andrew Dogonyaro, while confirming the incident to the Daily Trust on Tuesday, May 29, 2024, said the incident happened around 10am 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.
The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, 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 said the incident would be referred to the Railway Division, Kubwa, Abuja for further investigation and necessary action.