By Chidi Ugwu
A Kaduna-bound passenger train derailed on Tuesday morning along the busy Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, causing widespread panic among passengers and raising fresh concerns about the safety of Nigeria’s railway system.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has however confirmed that no life was lost.
According to a statement signed by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the fault occurred a few kilometres from Rigasa Station in Kaduna.
Unyimadu noted that the situation was immediately brought under control, and the train was safely marshalled to Kaduna.
He also assured that the situation was immediately brought under control, and the train was safely marshalled to Kaduna.
It remains unclear what caused the derailment, and there has been no official confirmation of injuries or casualties.
The incident, which occurred around 11:09 a.m. near Asham, between Kubwa and Asham stations, left several coaches overturned, with passengers scrambling to safety amid chaotic scenes.
Eyewitnesses reported that the train, which departed Abuja at approximately 9:45 a.m., veered off the tracks, leading to at least two coaches tumbling to the ground.
“The scene was chaotic; everyone was rushing out in fear,” said one passenger, who shared their account on social media.
A viral video circulating online showed passengers, including women and children, climbing out of the derailed coaches, with some visibly shaken but no immediate reports of fatalities.
Emergency responders and security operatives including the military were quickly deployed to the scene to assist stranded passengers and secure the area, but details about injuries or casualties remain unconfirmed.
The Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, one of Nigeria’s busiest routes, has faced repeated challenges in recent years.
Tuesday’s derailment follows a similar incident in May 2024 at Jere, Kaduna State, where no casualties were reported but passengers were left stranded.
Just days ago, the NRC reported a “hot axle” fault on the same route near Rigasa Station, which disrupted services for business-class passengers.
The corridor also gained notoriety in March 2022 when bandits attacked a train, killing at least eight passengers and kidnapping up to 168 others, leading to an eight-month suspension of operations.
The recurring incidents have reignited public debate about the state of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, derailments accounted for 183 train accidents between 2020 and 2022, making them the most common type of rail incident in the country.
Vandalism, including the theft of track fastening clips, has also been cited as a contributing factor in past derailments, with the NRC recently attributing a similar incident to such sabotage.
As investigations into Tuesday’s derailment are expected to begin, questions about rail maintenance, security, and passenger safety are once again in the spotlight.
Passengers and advocacy groups are calling for swift action from the NRC to address these systemic issues and prevent future accidents.
For now, stranded passengers are being assisted by emergency teams, and authorities have assured the public that efforts are underway to restore normalcy.
The public awaits an official response from the NRC to shed light on the cause of the derailment and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of Nigeria’s rail commuters.
Following the incident, the NRC said there would be temporary capacity issues, particularly affecting passengers booked on the business class coach. It later resumed operations.
The corporation tendered an apology for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa in an electronic terse statement explained that the Corporation has reached out to accident and emergency respondent agencies including hospitals and security agencies to ensure safety of passengers at the accident scene.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirms a train derailment involving our Kaduna-bound AKTS train service at about 11:09 am at KM 49 between Kubwa station and Asham station.
“Emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised.
“Full complement of security already on ground as the effort is ongoing to move all passengers on the train back to Abuja safely.
“Kindly bear with us at this moment,” the statement read.
