Abuja–Kaduna Train Derails, Passengers Flee in Panic
By Odekunle Doyin
A passenger train on the Abuja–Kaduna rail line derailed on Tuesday morning, leaving several coaches overturned and triggering chaos among travellers.
The incident happened shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and frightening, as passengers scrambled out of the derailed carriages in panic.
“It was pure pandemonium. People who managed to escape were seen running in different directions. Everyone was frightened, and we still cannot say if all the passengers are safe,” an eyewitness recounted.
NRC Confirms Incident
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the derailment and said rescue operations were ongoing.
“I don’t want to say much for now, but the incident is confirmed and rescue operations are on as we speak,” Opeifa stated.
As of press time, no casualties had been officially reported, and the cause of the derailment has not been determined.
History of Disruptions
The Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor is one of Nigeria’s busiest, ferrying hundreds of passengers daily between the Federal Capital Territory and the North-West.
However, it has faced repeated safety challenges in recent years. The most notorious incident occurred in March 2022, when terrorists attacked the line, killing several passengers and abducting many others.
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