ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN DERAILS: Seven injured, services halted
A Kaduna-bound passenger train on Tuesday derailed at KM 49, between Kubwa and Asham stations along the Abuja–Kaduna rail line.
The incident, which occurred around 11:00am, caused several coaches to overturn.
Initial reports regarding casualties varied.
SaharaReporters initially reported one fatality, stating that a victim was in the toilet at the time of the derailment. However, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), through its spokesperson, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, initially stated that six persons sustained injuries and no fatalities were recorded. The Director-General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, also expressed sympathy for the injured and vowed a thorough investigation.
Later, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in a statement signed by its Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, confirmed that seven passengers sustained injuries of varying degrees and were transported to nearby hospitals.
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The NRC also stated that 618 people were safely evacuated from the train, including 583 passengers, 15 NRC crew members, one medical personnel, eight cleaners, and 11 catering staff. The NRC has directed its third-party ticketing company to issue immediate refunds to all affected passengers.
The cause of the derailment remains unclear, and investigations are underway by both the NSIB and the NRC to determine the direct and underlying factors that led to the accident. All Abuja-Kaduna Train Services (AKTS) have been temporarily suspended pending recovery of the site and official clearance. Military personnel were deployed to the scene to assist in evacuating stranded passengers and securing the area.
