passenger train traveling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, triggering panic among passengers and raising fresh concerns about rail safety in Nigeria.
The incident occurred shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m. en route to Kaduna.
Witnesses described the situation as chaotic, with passengers scrambling to safety in fear and confusion.
Many frantically called their families to reassure them amid the tense atmosphere.
Although the cause of the derailment is still unknown, the development has already sparked public anxiety, especially given the security challenges along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor.
Authorities have not released any official information about casualties or injuries.
Military and Emergency Response
Security sources confirmed that military personnel quickly moved to the scene to secure the area and assist in evacuating stranded passengers. Their deployment comes amid concerns that stranded passengers could be exposed to attacks if left without protection.
Emergency response teams were also mobilized.
Nearby hospitals were placed on alert to receive any injured victims, although no confirmed medical reports have been released at the time of filing this report.
NRC Confirms Derailment
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) initially remained silent after reports of the incident spread.
However, the corporation later issued a statement confirming that its Kaduna-bound AKTS train service had derailed.
NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, who signed the statement, said the derailment happened at 11:09 a.m. at KM 49 between Kubwa and Asham stations. He assured the public that rescue operations were in progress.
According to Opeifa, a full team of emergency rescue and medical personnel had been dispatched to the scene.
He added that efforts were ongoing to transport all passengers safely back to Abuja.
“Full complement of security is already on ground as effort is ongoing to move all passengers on train back to Abuja safely,” the statement read.
The Abuja-Kaduna rail line has long been seen as a safer alternative to the highway, which has been plagued by frequent kidnappings and attacks.
However, repeated technical issues, vandalism, and security threats have raised questions about its reliability.
In March 2022, a deadly terrorist attack on the same corridor left several passengers dead and many kidnapped.
Since then, both government and NRC officials have promised tighter security and improved rail safety.
Tuesday’s derailment is likely to reignite debates over whether enough has been done to protect passengers.
While NRC has assured the public that all passengers will be moved back to Abuja safely, many Nigerians remain worried about the lack of preventive measures on such a critical route.
Analysts argue that beyond immediate rescue efforts, the government must conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the derailment to restore public confidence in the rail system.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safe return of all passengers and addressing any potential injuries that may have occurred during the incident.
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