JUST IN: Train Derails on Kaduna–Abuja Route, Overturned Cabins Trigger Panic Among Passengers

A passenger train on the Kaduna–Abuja route derailed on Tuesday morning, leaving several cabins overturned and sparking panic among commuters. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as passengers scrambled to safety, though details on casualties remain unclear.

The cause of the derailment has not yet been established, and authorities are yet to issue an official statement. The Kaduna–Abuja corridor, one of the busiest in the country, has faced repeated disruptions in recent years, most notably the deadly armed attack on a passenger train in March 2022.

The latest incident comes barely a week after the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed a mechanical fault on the same line. A statement signed by NRC spokesperson Callistus Unyimadu reported that a train developed a hot axle near Rigasa Station in Kaduna, caused by abnormal heat in the journal housing. The fault was contained, and the train was safely returned to Kaduna, though the corporation acknowledged temporary disruptions for passengers, especially those booked in business class.

Tuesday’s derailment is expected to raise renewed concerns about safety on the route, which remains a critical link between Abuja and Kaduna.