Six passengers were confirmed to have sustained injuries in Abuja – Kaduna bound train that derailed on Tuesday morning, in Jere.
The accident caused panic in Abuja, among passengers and their loved ones as many whose relations board the train
made desperate effort to get to the scene of the accident.
A passenger on board the train described the scene of the accident as chaotic, with people scrambling to safety in fear and confusion.
The incident occurred along the Kaduna corridor in Jere shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m., en route to Kaduna.
It remained unclear what caused the derailment, and there was no official confirmation of injuries or casualties, until in the evening when the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that six passengers sustained injuries .
NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, said in a statement confirmed the incident occurred at 11:09am at KM 49 between Kubwa station and Asham station.
He said emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised to the scene of accident
While “full compliment of security already on ground as effort is ongoing to move all passengers on train back to Abuja safely,” he said.
While later in the evening the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau confirmed that six passengers sustained injuries on Tuesday at approximately 11:09 am after a Kaduna-bound train derailed at KM 49 between Kubwa Station and Asham Station .
He said it prompted the deployment of a go-team to the site to gather evidence, engage stakeholders, and begin an investigation into the accident.
According to a statement signed by Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, on Tuesday, the accident took place at KM 49, between Kubwa Station and Asham Station. Current information indicates that six passengers sustained injuries, though no fatalities were recorded.
The NSIB confirmed that a go-team has been deployed to the site to collect evidence, interact with stakeholders, and begin investigating the circumstances that led to the derailment.
The statement read in parts, “Current information available indicates that six persons sustained injuries, and no recorded fatalities. A go-team has been deployed to the site to gather evidence, engage relevant stakeholders, and commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“The Bureau sympathises with those injured and extends its support to all passengers affected. The investigation will focus on identifying the direct and underlying factors that led to the derailment, with the aim of issuing safety recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” the statement read.
Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh in the statement expressed sympathy
“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.
“Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation.”
The Bureau assured that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
The incident was reported to have occurred along the busy corridor shortly after the train left Abuja around 11 a.m. on its way to Kaduna.
The derailment threw passengers into panic, forcing many to flee for safety, while eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying.