Panic as Abuja-Kaduna train derails

Panic gripped passengers on Tuesday after a train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed, overturning several carriages and disrupting the busy corridor.

According to a report by Punch Online, the incident occurred along the popular corridor shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m. on its way to Kaduna.

The incident has caused passengers fleeing for safety, with many describing the scene as chaotic and frightening.

An eyewitness stated that the derailment happened without warning, triggering confusion as passengers rushed out of the derailed cabins.

The eyewitness said, “It is a complete pandemonium. People who were confirmed to be saved were seen running in different directions. It was pure panic.

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“We can not confirm if everyone is safe yet but we pray everyone comes out alive.”

Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Tuesday, saying that the rescue operation is ongoing at the scene of the incident.

He said, “I don’t want to say much for now, but the incident is confirmed and the rescue operation is on as we speak.”

Although the exact cause of the derailment remains unclear at the time of this report, no casualties have been officially reported.

It will be recalled that the Kaduna–Abuja rail line is one of Nigeria’s most active rail corridors, used daily by hundreds of commuters.

The rail route has faced repeated disruptions over the years, including the March 2022 terrorist attack, which left several dead and many abducted.