Six Injured, No Lives Lost in Abuja–Kaduna Train Derailment — Nigerian Government

The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that six passengers sustained various degrees of injuries after the Abuja–Kaduna train derailed in Jere, Kaduna State, on Tuesday morning. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities in the incident.

According to a statement issued by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, spokesperson for the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the accident occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. when the Abuja–Kaduna-bound passenger train went off track, leaving several commuters stranded.

The NSIB disclosed that its Information Technology (IT) investigation team was promptly deployed to the site of the derailment to assess the situation. After conducting an initial assessment, the bureau confirmed that although there were no deaths, six passengers suffered injuries of different severity.

The statement emphasized:

“Available information indicates that six individuals were injured during the derailment. Thankfully, no fatalities have been recorded so far. Investigations into the root cause of the derailment are ongoing in collaboration with other relevant agencies.”

The NSIB further assured the public that its experts are working closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and other stakeholders to uncover the technical and operational factors that contributed to the accident.

Meanwhile, following the derailment, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended operations along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor until further notice. This decision was taken to ensure passenger safety and to allow authorities to carry out thorough investigations before resuming services.

This derailment adds to ongoing concerns regarding the safety of Nigeria’s railway transport system, which has faced multiple challenges in recent years, including technical faults, insecurity, and infrastructure maintenance issues. Authorities have reassured citizens that steps are being taken to strengthen the safety and reliability of railway services.

For now, passengers who frequently travel the Abuja–Kaduna route have been advised to seek alternative means of transportation until rail services are restored.