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By Lizzy Chirkpi
At least six passengers sustained injuries on Tuesday following the derailment of a Kaduna-bound passenger train along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:09 a.m. at Kilometre 49 between Kubwa and Asham Stations, prompted an immediate response from emergency services and the deployment of investigators from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the derailment and detailed the swift mobilisation of medical teams, rescue workers, and security operatives to the scene.
“NRC confirms a train derailment involving its Kaduna-bound AKTS train service at about 11.09 at KM 49 between Kubwa station and Asham stations,” Opeifa stated.
“Emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised. Full complement of security already on ground as effort is ongoing to move all passengers on train back to Abuja safely. Kindly bear with us at this moment.”
Eyewitnesses described the incident as sudden and chaotic, with several coaches tumbling off the tracks, throwing passengers into panic. Footage from the scene shows distressed travellers navigating their way along the railway, some with visible injuries, while others attempted to assist fellow passengers to safety.
One passenger, recounting the moment of the derailment, said the train went off the tracks without warning, sparking confusion and fear as passengers scrambled out of the affected cabins.
In a separate statement, the NSIB confirmed that six passengers sustained injuries, although no fatalities have been reported. The Bureau has dispatched a dedicated go-team of investigators to the site to begin a formal probe into the cause of the derailment.
According to Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, the team will “gather evidence, engage relevant stakeholders, and commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.”
“The Bureau sympathises with those injured and extends its support to all passengers affected. The investigation will focus on identifying the direct and underlying factors that led to the derailment, with the aim of issuing safety recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” the statement added.
Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, also expressed concern over the incident and reiterated the Bureau’s commitment to rail safety.
“We deeply sympathise with all who sustained injuries. The Bureau has deployed investigators to the site to ensure the root cause of this derailment is uncovered. Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation,” he said.
This latest derailment has reignited public concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, particularly on the heavily trafficked Abuja–Kaduna corridor, which has previously experienced both technical faults and security threats. Though initial reports suggest the derailment may have been caused by the train missing a point on the track, officials say the exact cause will only be determined after thorough investigation.
The NRC and NSIB have both assured that updates will be provided as more information becomes available.