Panic as Abuja-Kaduna train derails along Kaduna corridor

A passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, leaving several carriages overturned and triggering panic among passengers.

The incident happened along the Kaduna corridor shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m. for Kaduna.

The cause of the derailment remains unclear, and there has been no official confirmation of injuries or casualties.

Military personnel have reportedly been deployed to the scene to help evacuate stranded passengers.

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As at press time, the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had not issued a statement on the incident.

Tuesday’s derailment comes just days after the NRC confirmed that one of the wheels on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service developed a hot axle several kilometres from Rigasa Station in Kaduna.

The incident, which occurred last Wednesday evening, was linked to hot wheel friction caused by abnormal temperatures in the journal housing.
In a statement at the time, the Chief Public Relations Officer for the NRC, Callistus Unyimadu, said the situation was quickly brought under control and the train “marshalled to Kaduna for safety.”

“Consequent upon this incident, the train service will experience some capacity issues, which may affect some customers booked in the business class,” Unyimadu added.

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He further explained that passengers already booked on the affected coach had been contacted. “We have also made alternative arrangements to accommodate them,” he said.

Unyimadu assured passengers that the disruption would be minimal and that “normal service will resume before the afternoon services.”

He also emphasised that “we assure all our customers and passengers of their safety on our train services as we are determined to continue to provide the best travel experience on all our train networks.”