Photo: Scene of the incident
By Deborah Nnamdi
A passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, leaving several carriages overturned and sparking panic among commuters.
The derailment occurred shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11:09 a.m., at KM 49 between Kubwa Station and Asham Station — a key section along the busy Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with passengers fleeing the overturned carriages in fear. “It was complete pandemonium,” one passenger told reporters. “People who were confirmed to be safe were running in different directions. It was pure panic. We still don’t know if everyone made it out unharmed, but we’re praying for the best.”
Although the exact cause of the derailment is yet to be determined, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has been confirmed the incident. In a statement released via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the NRC acknowledged that the Kaduna-bound AKTS train had derailed and said emergency response efforts were immediately launched.
“Emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised. Full complement of security is already on ground as effort is ongoing to move all passengers on train back to Abuja safely,” the NRC said.
The corporation appealed for calm and urged the public to remain patient as authorities work to ensure the safety of all passengers and restore services. “Kindly bear with us at this moment,” the statement added.
No casualties have been officially reported as of the time of this report, and the number of affected passengers remains unconfirmed.
The Abuja-Kaduna rail line is one of Nigeria’s most heavily used rail routes, serving hundreds of commuters daily. However, it has experienced multiple disruptions in recent years, most notably the March 2022 terrorist attack that left several dead and many others abducted.
Investigations into the cause of Tuesday’s derailment are ongoing.
