By Our Correspondent
National News – Several passengers were injured on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor derailed, causing panic among travellers and temporarily disrupting rail services between Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred during a routine journey from Kaduna to Abuja, forcing the train to halt before reaching its scheduled destination.
Eyewitness accounts from passengers onboard revealed that the train suddenly jolted after a loud bang was heard inside the coaches.
The violent movement reportedly threw some passengers off their seats, leaving several people with minor injuries including cuts, bruises, and shock.
According to preliminary reports, the Abuja-bound train may have collided with another train operating along the same rail line.
The impact forced the train to stop abruptly while authorities assessed the situation and ensured that passengers were safe.
A passenger who shared his experience on social media described the moment as frightening and chaotic.
He explained that many travellers were unprepared for the sudden jolt, which caused confusion and fear inside the train compartments.
“The train stopped suddenly after a loud sound. People were thrown forward and some were injured. It was a very scary moment,” the passenger recounted.
Passengers said the train remained stationary for approximately 30 minutes before it resumed movement slowly towards Kubwa, a suburb located on the outskirts of Abuja.
During the delay, travellers reportedly received little or no communication from railway officials regarding the cause of the disruption.
Officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation later confirmed that an incident had occurred along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.
The agency said it was assessing the situation and promised to release an official statement detailing what led to the disruption and the condition of affected passengers.
The Abuja-Kaduna railway line is one of Nigeria’s busiest rail routes, frequently used by commuters travelling between Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory due to security concerns on the highway.
Transportation authorities are expected to investigate the derailment and implement safety measures to prevent similar incidents on the rail corridor.
