A passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday, leaving several carriages overturned and triggering panic among those on board.
According to local media reports, the incident occurred around KM 49 between Kubwa Station and Asham Station in northern Nigeria..
Some eyewitnesses told journalists that the derailment occurred without warning, causing confusion and chaos as passengers rushed out of the affected cabins. Six passengers were confirmed injured.
“It is a complete pandemonium. People who were confirmed to be saved were seen running in different directions. It was pure panic,” one eyewitness, who simply identified himself as Abubakar, said.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has confirmed that six passengers sustained injuries in the incident, although no fatalities were recorded and that a team of investigators has been deployed to the site to gather evidence and begin an investigation into the accident.
“We deeply sympathise with all who sustained injuries. The bureau has deployed investigators to the site to ensure the root cause of this derailment is uncovered,” NSIB Director-General, Capt Alex Badeh, said in a statement. “Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation.”
“Further information on the cause of the accident will be provided by investigators from the Ministry of Transportation, whose acting Permanent Secretary was also present at the site of the derailment,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has announced the suspension of train operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route till further notice.
Dr. Opeifa told a news conference hours after the incident in Abuja that some technical staff of the corporation, alongside the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and other relevant agencies, were currently on the ground at the train derailment site carrying out an investigation
He dismissed claims that the trains are not in good condition and that refund of the ticket fees has been initiated for all passengers on board.
GIK/APA