The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that a Kaduna-bound train derailed on Tuesday morning along the Abuja–Kaduna route, triggering panic among passengers.
In a statement issued by the Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, the corporation disclosed that emergency operations had been activated.
“NRC confirms a train derailment involving its Kaduna bound AKTS train service at about 11.09 at KM 49 between Kubwa station and Asham station,” Opeifa said.
He added that “emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised. Full compliment of security already on ground as effort is ongoing to move all passengers on train back to Abuja safely.”
The cause of the incident remains unclear, and it has not yet been confirmed if there were casualties.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, one of the busiest in Nigeria, has faced repeated disruptions in recent years. Notably, in March 2022, armed men attacked the line, leaving multiple casualties.
Just last week, the NRC acknowledged another fault on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS), when one of the coaches developed a hot axle near Rigasa Station in Kaduna. According to the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the technical issue occurred only a few kilometres from the station.