A passenger train traveling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, leaving several carriages overturned and sparking panic among commuters.
The incident occurred shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m., along the busy corridor to Kaduna. Passengers were seen fleeing for safety, with eyewitnesses describing the scene as chaotic and frightening.
One eyewitness said:
“It was complete pandemonium. The derailment happened without warning, and people rushed out of the cabins in panic. We cannot confirm if everyone is safe yet, but we pray all passengers make it out alive.”
Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, said rescue operations were already underway.
“I don’t want to say much for now, but the incident is confirmed and rescue efforts are ongoing,” he stated.
As of the time of filing this report, no casualties have been officially recorded, and the cause of the derailment remains unclear.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line is one of Nigeria’s busiest, serving hundreds of commuters daily. However, it has witnessed several disruptions in recent years, most notably the March 2022 terrorist attack that left multiple passengers dead and others abducted.
