Passengers Scamper for Safety as Abuja–Kaduna Train Derail again

RYNI News | Omotayo Stephen . O
27 August 2025

A Kaduna-bound passenger train veered off its tracks on Tuesday morning, unleashing scenes of panic and confusion as terrified commuters scrambled to safety. The incident, which occurred at about 11:09 a.m. between Kubwa and Asham stations, has once again thrown Nigeria’s troubled rail corridor into the spotlight.

Eyewitnesses described the moment as “chaotic and unforgettable,” with passengers shouting, praying, and clutching their children as the coaches screeched to a halt before tumbling off the tracks. “I was thrown to the floor; people were screaming. Some children even lifted chairs to shield themselves,” recalled Emmanuel Akpor, one of the survivors.

According to officials, at least 14 passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to health facilities in Idah, Kagarko Local Government Area, where they received first aid before being transferred to Kaduna for further care. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

The ill-fated train, which had departed Abuja’s Kubwa station after a delayed start, was carrying 10 coaches. By the time the dust settled, nearly all the coaches had been derailed except the executive coach—ironically the only one left standing. Two coaches sustained heavy structural damage.

Officials suggested that the derailment may have occurred at the interchange point near Asham, where trains are required to either slow down or halt briefly. “It is not yet clear if the driver followed the procedure,” one source disclosed, adding that excessive speed or track-switching failure could have played a role.

Rescue operations quickly swung into action as a multi-agency team led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), backed by military personnel, police, immigration officers, and civil defence operatives, secured the scene. NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, confirmed that injured passengers were stabilized at the site before being evacuated.

In Abuja, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, announced the immediate suspension of Abuja–Kaduna train services, pending investigations. He assured passengers of refunds and dismissed claims of poor maintenance, insisting that NRC adheres to international safety standards. “Our technical staff, together with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), are already conducting a full probe,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the NSIB confirmed that its investigators had been dispatched to the site. Director-General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. vowed that findings would be made public: “We are committed to uncovering the root cause and making safety recommendations to prevent future tragedies.”

The derailment rekindles memories of previous mishaps on the same corridor. In May 2024, another derailment occurred near Jere Station, while in September 2023, a similar accident was recorded at Kukere. More haunting, however, is the March 2022 terrorist attack on the Abuja–Kaduna train that left nine people dead and dozens abducted—a tragedy still fresh in the minds of many Nigerians.

From São Paulo, Brazil, where he is on an official visit, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed sadness over the incident. In a statement posted on his official X handle, he assured Nigerians that corrective measures would be taken: “I have been fully briefed and my prayers are with the injured and their families. Steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen again.”

For the hundreds of stranded passengers, however, the experience will not be forgotten soon. As one female commuter, identified simply as Hajiya, put it: “I woke up to chaos. A box fell on my head, people were shouting, and we were told the train had crashed. It was terrifying.”

As investigations continue, Tuesday’s derailment serves as yet another reminder of the fragile state of Nigeria’s railway lifeline—an artery of hope that too often flirts with disaster.

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