A passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, sending several carriages off the tracks and leaving terrified passengers scrambling for safety.
The incident, which occurred around 11 a.m., happened shortly after the train departed Abuja along the busy corridor that has become one of Nigeria’s most travelled rail routes.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as sudden and chaotic, with no prior indication of mechanical failure. Within seconds, the rhythm of the train gave way to screeching metal, tilting coaches, and passengers tumbling in panic.
“It was complete pandemonium. People who had managed to get out were seen running in different directions. There was no order, just fear,” one survivor told.
Although the exact number of passengers on board has not yet been confirmed, reports suggest that the train was filled with commuters, including business travellers, families, and students. As of press time, no fatalities had been officially reported, though emergency responders were still combing the site.
Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa confirmed the derailment in a telephone interview. He said rescue operations were ongoing and assured that details regarding casualties or injuries would be provided after full assessments.
The Abuja–Kaduna line, launched in 2016, has been hailed as a symbol of Nigeria’s effort to modernise transport infrastructure. However, it has also faced a troubled history, ranging from service disruptions and poor maintenance to the deadly terrorist attack on a train in March 2022, which left multiple passengers dead and dozens kidnapped.
For many Nigerians, Tuesday’s accident has rekindled fears about the safety and reliability of the rail system, which millions rely on as a safer alternative to the Abuja–Kaduna highway, notorious for kidnappings and armed attacks.
As rescue workers battled to stabilise the scene, families of passengers anxiously awaited updates. Social media was flooded with amateur videos showing overturned coaches, scattered belongings, and groups of passengers fleeing into the surrounding bush.
The NRC has promised an investigation into the incident.
