The Kaduna State Police Command said no fewer than 52 cows were crushed to death by a train along Kasarami – Jere axis in Chikkun Local Government Area in Kaduna State on Sunday.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, Malam Ahmad Abdulrahaman, who disclosed this to journalists, refuted reports that the cows were killed by other means.
He said, ”There is nothing like an attack but purely it was a train accident, so nobody should panic.”
According to him, the cows were crushed to death at about 11:45 am on Sunday by a speeding train going to Abuja from Rigasa Railway Station.
Abdulrahaman added that the 27 cattle that sustained injuries were slaughtered by the chief butcher of Kasarami village.
He said no human casualty was recorded. Describing the accident as pathetic, the police commissioner added that the herdsmen were moving to Funtua Local Government in Katsina State.
Abdulrahaman said, “When the information of the accident reached the command, I quickly mobilised our men to the scene to assess the situation.
“The herdsmen had innocently inquired on whether there were rail services on Sunday, but were misinformed that there was none.
“I have summoned the traditional rulers of the area, youths and farmers on the need to continue to live in peace and to avoid crossing the rail track indiscriminately with farm produce and animals.”
He added that a similar meeting will hold with officials of the railway corporation on how to avert such an accident in future.