A passenger train traveling the Abuja-Kaduna railway derailed on Tuesday morning, forcing passengers to flee in panic.
The incident occurred shortly after the train left Abuja around 11 a.m. along the busy corridor. Several carriages overturned during the derailment, creating confusion and fear among passengers.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. One passenger said the Abuja-Kaduna train suddenly went off the tracks, leaving people scrambling to escape. “It was complete pandemonium. People rushed out in different directions. Everyone just wanted to get to safety,” the eyewitness added.
Although many passengers managed to flee, it remains unclear whether all travelers are safe. Emergency teams rushed to the site to assist.
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the derailment in a phone interview. He explained that rescue operations had already begun but declined to provide further details. “The Abuja-Kaduna incident is confirmed. Rescue efforts are ongoing as we speak,” Opeifa said.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the derailment. No casualties reported at the time of filing this report.
The Abuja-Kaduna rail line remains one of Nigeria’s busiest routes, used daily by hundreds of commuters. However, the corridor has faced repeated disruptions, including the March 2022 terrorist attack that left several dead and others abducted.
Passengers who survived Tuesday’s incident called for urgent safety improvements, stressing that train travel must remain reliable for the many Nigerians who depend on it.
