A passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, sparking fresh concerns over railway safety in Nigeria. The accident, which occurred at 11:09 a.m. at KM 49 between Kubwa Station and Asham Station, left several carriages overturned and six passengers injured. https://democracyradio.ng/fresh-panic-as-abuja-kaduna-passenger-train-derails/
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as passengers scrambled to safety. “It was complete pandemonium. People who survived were seen running in different directions. It was pure panic,” said Abubakar, one of the passengers.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the injuries and announced the deployment of investigators to the crash site. NSIB Director-General, Capt. Alex Badeh, assured that the bureau would determine the root cause of the derailment. “Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation,” he said.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) also confirmed the derailment, adding that emergency services, medical teams, and security personnel were mobilised to evacuate passengers and return them safely to Abuja.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani expressed sympathy to the victims and directed rescue agencies to provide immediate assistance. His spokesperson, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the governor ordered all necessary support for affected passengers.
Investigators are probing whether the derailment was due to technical failure, poor maintenance, or possible sabotage, as authorities intensify efforts to restore public confidence in the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, which has faced repeated security and safety challenges in recent years.
