By Emiola Osifeso
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended train operations on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor following a derailment on Tuesday that left several passengers injured and raised fresh concerns about rail safety in the country.
The train, which departed the Idu station in Abuja at about 9:50 a.m., was bound for Kaduna when it derailed between Kubwa and Asham stations at approximately 11:09 a.m. According to the NRC, more than 600 passengers were on board.
Initial reports suggested that up to 14 passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries. However, NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, later told journalists that four passengers were seriously injured while others received only minor treatment. No deaths have been officially confirmed.
Emergency teams, including medical staff, security operatives, and NRC officials, were immediately deployed to the scene. Passengers were later evacuated using a rescue train and returned to Idu and Kubwa stations.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Opeifa took responsibility for the incident, describing it as “regrettable” and assuring the public that a full investigation had commenced. He said the NRC would contact all affected passengers for follow-up support.
He added that operations would not resume until the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) completes its assessment and the tracks are certified safe. Refunds have been offered to passengers who purchased tickets for cancelled trips.
The derailment is the latest in a series of safety incidents on Nigeria’s rail network. According to industry reports, the country has recorded nearly 200 derailments in six years, a figure experts say reflects deep-seated issues around maintenance, oversight, and funding.
The Abuja–Kaduna line, one of Nigeria’s busiest passenger corridors, has been particularly critical as many travelers avoid the Abuja–Kaduna highway over recurring bandit attacks. Tuesday’s derailment therefore compounds fears about the reliability of what is considered a safer alternative.
Officials say reconstruction of the damaged track could take up to 30 days. The NSIB has already dispatched investigators to determine the cause and recommend preventive measures. A federal committee has also been inaugurated to examine broader safety and maintenance challenges facing the rail sector.
For now, however, passengers who rely on the Abuja–Kaduna service are left with limited and riskier alternatives, underscoring the country’s wider infrastructure and security dilemmas.
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