Scene of the accident
A Kaduna-bound passenger train departing from the Kubwa Train Station in Abuja suffered a derailment on Tuesday morning, forcing an emergency halt and leaving passengers stranded. The train, which was scheduled to depart at 10:05 a.m. and arrive at Rigasa Train Station in Kaduna by 12:15 p.m., veered off track about 15 minutes after leaving Kubwa, near Idah Village and close to the premises of the SCC Company.
The sudden incident caused panic among passengers, many of whom were forced to disembark while security personnel attached to the train immediately called for reinforcement. The area where the derailment occurred is considered a security-challenged zone, raising fears among passengers and prompting urgent efforts to secure the location.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has not issued any official statement on the number of passengers onboard, possible injuries, or the cause of the derailment. However, eyewitnesses reported that there was confusion and anxiety among travelers. “We had barely left Kubwa when the train started shaking violently, and then it stopped. Everyone was scared because this area is known for security issues,” a passenger who requested anonymity told Time Nigeria.
Scene of the train accident
This incident comes amid growing concerns about safety on the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor, which has faced a series of operational and security challenges in recent years.
On March 28, 2022, the route witnessed a deadly terrorist attack that claimed several lives and led to the abduction of many passengers. Since then, the service has suffered multiple delays, temporary shutdowns, and persistent warnings from experts over poor track maintenance, aging infrastructure, and inadequate safety measures.
Transport analysts have called for an urgent and thorough investigation into the derailment to determine whether it was caused by human error, equipment failure, poor maintenance, or possible sabotage. They also stressed the need for comprehensive reforms, including modern signaling systems, real-time monitoring technologies, and stricter safety protocols to avert future occurrences.
Efforts to reach NRC officials for comments have so far been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, security operatives remain at the scene to safeguard passengers as reinforcement teams move in. Passengers scheduled for later trips on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor have been advised to await official updates regarding the status of rail services.
This is a developing story, and further details will be provided as more information becomes available.
