By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
CHAOS BROKE out on Tuesday morning when a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed shortly after departure, causing panic among those on board.
The incident happened at 11:09am at kilometre 49, between Kubwa Station and Asham Station, according to a statement issued by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
The Kaduna-bound AKTS train service had left Abuja earlier that morning before the derailment occurred along the corridor.
NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed that immediate measures were taken to protect passengers and restore order at the scene.
“Emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised. Full compliment of security already on ground as effort is ongoing to move all passengers on train back to Abuja safely,” he said.
Witnesses who were aboard the train recounted scenes of panic, with passengers scrambling to safety as the coaches came to a halt.
One passenger described the situation as chaotic, noting that fear and confusion quickly spread among travellers when the derailment happened.
As at the time of this report, the cause of the derailment had not been established, and there was no official confirmation of injuries or fatalities.
Security officials confirmed that military personnel had been deployed to the site to support the evacuation of stranded passengers and ensure the area remained secure.
The NRC appealed to the public for patience as the situation was being managed.
“Kindly bear with us at this moment,” the corporation said in its official communication.
The Abuja-Kaduna corridor is one of the busiest rail routes in Nigeria and serves as a critical link between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.
Opeifa notes that the corridor has been prioritised in recent years for both security and infrastructure upgrades following heightened incidents affecting passenger safety.
However, while emergency operations continue, all affected passengers were being transported back to Abuja.
The NRC also emphasised that safety remained its top priority and assured that investigations would follow to determine the cause of the derailment.
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