Several passengers sustained injuries on Monday when a train operating on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, causing panic among commuters and disrupting rail services along the busy route.
The incident reportedly occurred along a section of the standard gauge rail line between Abuja and Kaduna, one of Nigeria’s most frequently used rail corridors.
Eyewitnesses said the derailment happened while the train was in motion, forcing some coaches off the track and leaving passengers stranded for several hours.
Some passengers were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident, while others escaped unhurt but were visibly shaken.
Emergency responders and railway officials were said to have arrived at the scene shortly after the derailment to evacuate passengers and provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
A passenger who spoke with reporters said the situation caused panic inside the train as passengers struggled to understand what had happened.
“We suddenly felt a violent jerk and the train slowed down abruptly. Some coaches tilted slightly and people began shouting. It was a frightening experience,” the passenger said.
Another passenger said some injured persons were given first aid at the scene before being moved to nearby medical facilities for further treatment.
Officials of the Nigerian railway authorities were said to have begun preliminary assessments to determine the cause of the derailment.
Although the exact cause of the incident had yet to be confirmed at the time of filing this report, railway engineers were reportedly inspecting the affected section of the track and the train coaches involved.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line remains one of Nigeria’s most important transportation routes, conveying thousands of passengers daily due to security concerns along the Abuja–Kaduna highway.
Rail services on the corridor have experienced occasional disruptions in the past due to technical issues, track maintenance and other operational challenges.
Authorities are expected to release an official statement on the incident and outline steps being taken to restore normal services and prevent future occurrences.
