Abuja-Kaduna train derails, leaving passengers stranded. NRC confirms derailment, mobilises emergency and medical teams to ensure safe evacuation.
Passengers on the Abuja–Kaduna train service faced an unexpected ordeal on Tuesday morning when the train derailed midway into its journey, leaving many stranded along the corridor.
The incident, which occurred shortly after the train departed Abuja at about 11:00 a.m., has once again raised questions about the safety and reliability of rail transportation in Nigeria.
According to reports, the Kaduna-bound train went off the tracks around Asham station, approximately 49 kilometers from the Kubwa axis in Abuja.
Witnesses noted that the train had barely left the nation’s capital before the derailment occurred, throwing passengers into panic.
Though initial accounts could not confirm the exact number of people onboard, it was established that military personnel and security operatives quickly moved to the scene to assist with rescue and evacuation.
A source at the Kubwa station confirmed that stranded passengers were being attended to, although information about casualties or injuries was not immediately available.
The disruption left many travellers anxious as they awaited further clarity from railway officials.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) later confirmed the development through a statement signed by its Managing Director, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, and posted on the Corporation’s official X handle, @info_NRC.
In the statement, Opeifa disclosed that the derailment involved the Kaduna-bound AKTS train service at about 11:09 a.m., between Kubwa and Asham stations. He explained that emergency rescue teams, including medical personnel and nearby hospitals, had been mobilised to provide support.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirms a train derailment involving our Kaduna-bound AKTS train service at about 11:09 a.m. at KM 49 between Kubwa station and Asham station.
“Emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised.
“Full complement of security is already on the ground as efforts are ongoing to move all passengers on the train back to Abuja safely. Kindly bear with us at this moment,” the statement read.
The NRC boss assured the public that no effort was being spared to ensure the safe return of passengers to Abuja while investigations into the cause of the derailment were ongoing.
Eyewitnesses reported that passengers remained calm as soldiers and security personnel worked to secure the area and coordinate evacuation.
Medical teams were placed on standby to provide treatment for any injured individuals.
While the NRC has yet to confirm whether any injuries were recorded, the swift deployment of emergency services helped to reassure travellers caught in the disruption.
The derailment has once again reignited debate over the safety of the Abuja–Kaduna railway line, which has been marred by a history of operational and security challenges.
In March 2022, the route suffered a major setback when terrorists attacked a train, resulting in several deaths and the abduction of passengers.
That attack, one of the deadliest on Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, forced services to be suspended for months.
Although the government later strengthened security along the corridor and resumed operations, incidents such as mechanical faults, delays, and now derailments have continued to trouble passengers and stakeholders alike.
Critics argue that inadequate maintenance of rail infrastructure, aging locomotives, and insufficient safety checks may be contributing to these recurring problems.
The Abuja–Kaduna railway is one of Nigeria’s busiest train routes, serving as a safer alternative to the Abuja–Kaduna expressway, which has long been plagued by banditry and kidnappings.
Many commuters, including business travellers, government officials, and students, rely heavily on the train service for secure movement between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna.
Disruptions such as Tuesday’s derailment not only inconvenience passengers but also cast a shadow over ongoing efforts to revive and modernise Nigeria’s rail transport system.
The incident may further discourage public confidence in rail travel, unless urgent steps are taken to address safety lapses and improve maintenance standards.
As of the time of this report, the NRC has not released details of what caused the derailment, nor provided an exact figure of passengers on board.
However, authorities have promised a full investigation into the incident, with assurances that findings will guide measures to prevent future occurrences.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring that all passengers are safely returned to Abuja and provided with necessary medical attention where required.
Nigerians, meanwhile, await clarity on how such mishaps can be averted in the future to restore confidence in the nation’s rail services.