Abuja-Kaduna train derails, passengers injured
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By Nnasom David & Folarin Kehinde
Passengers were left with injuries on Monday morning after a train on the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor had an incident midway through the journey.
Some passengers said they heard a loud bang, then the train jolted violently, throwing many off their seats, leading to confusion and chaos.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, confirmed that a train incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday near Asham, involving a rear locomotive and a passenger coach.
In a statement by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, Kayode Opeifa, the incident was described as avoidable and linked to a coupling issue.
According to the statement, preliminary reports indicated that the rear locomotive made contact with the coach immediately behind it after a problem developed with the coupling mechanism.
The corporation said some passengers sustained injuries during the incident and were promptly attended to before being taken to a nearby medical facility for proper treatment.
It, however, clarified that no fatalities were recorded.
The NRC noted that emergency response procedures were immediately activated, while relevant technical teams were deployed to the scene to manage the situation.
The statement added that the National Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, is currently at the location to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident in line with established safety procedures.
The corporation assured members of the public that safety remains its top priority and that all necessary measures are being taken to address the situation and ensure the continued safe operation of train services.
It also stated that further details would be communicated as more information becomes available.
NSIB probes
According to a preliminary report signed by Funke Arowojobe, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, the train, identified as KA2, departed Rigasa Railway Station in Kaduna for its scheduled journey to Idu Railway Station in Abuja.
The report stated that the train was operating within its scheduled service window of 7:15 a.m. to 10:01 a.m. It arrived at Jere Railway Station at about 8:52 a.m. and departed again at 8:59 a.m. after a rear locomotive was attached to provide additional operational support for the onward journey.
However, shortly after leaving Jere Station, the rear locomotive reportedly detached while the train was travelling along a downward gradient toward the Asham section.
The detached locomotive then rolled forward and collided with the rear portion of the train, resulting in what officials described as a serious operational incident.
At the time of the occurrence, the train consisted of two locomotives positioned at the front and rear, a power car, two business-class coaches and six standard passenger coaches.
A total of 429 passengers were onboard, alongside 46 crew members and 24 security personnel assigned to the service.
Authorities confirmed that no fatalities were recorded in the incident, although some passengers sustained injuries.
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