Chaos erupted on Tuesday when an Abuja–Kaduna passenger train derailed at KM 49 between Kubwa and Asham stations, leaving six people injured and hundreds shaken.
The incident, which occurred at about 11:09 a.m., forced several coaches off the tracks, sparking panic among passengers who scrambled to safety.
Emergency responders, including the Federal Fire Service, security operatives, and medical teams, rushed to the scene to rescue trapped commuters.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as terrifying. One passenger, Kola, who resides in Dutse, Abuja, said he initially feared it was another terrorist attack.
“I heard a loud sound from the back, and the coaches began to fall. My life flashed before my eyes.
“Even when we got out, we were scared because we were in the bushes, but thank God security agents arrived quickly,” he said.
Another survivor recalled the pandemonium: “People were screaming as the coaches lifted and fell sideways. Everyone thought the train would somersault.
“We thank God for life.”
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The derailment brought back memories of the March 2022 Abuja–Kaduna train attack, in which terrorists mined the track, killed seven passengers, and abducted dozens.
Following Tuesday’s incident, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed six injuries but no fatalities.
Its Director General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., said investigators had been deployed to uncover the root cause.
“Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation,” he stated.
NSIB spokesperson, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, added that a go-team had been dispatched to gather evidence, engage stakeholders, and make safety recommendations to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) suspended operations on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor pending the outcome of the investigation. NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, assured that refunds were being processed for affected passengers and dismissed claims of poor train maintenance.
While investigations are ongoing, NRC officials suggested the derailment may have been caused by track vandalism or a faulty switching point.
A source explained that the problem occurred at a track junction where lines interchange.
“If the points are not properly set, the train will derail.
“It may have been vandalism or human error, but the investigation will determine the truth,” the source said.
Security agencies have since secured the site, while technical teams from NSIB and NRC continue to examine the tracks and derailed coaches.
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