Passengers on the Kaduna-Abuja train were stranded on Sunday morning after the train derailed approximately an hour after departing from Kaduna. The incident occurred around 8am in Jere, Kaduna State, shortly after the train left Rigassa station in Kaduna.
Security operatives were promptly dispatched to the derailment site to ensure the safety of the passengers, who were reportedly apprehensive following the incident. A staff member at the Rigassa railway station, who requested anonymity, confirmed that three carriages of the train went off the tracks but stated that there were no casualties.
“There was no casualty. Security agents were drafted to the location to provide security cover for the passengers. The train was later fixed, and the passengers continued with their journey to Abuja. As I am talking to you, even the train that left Abuja to Kaduna has since reached its destination,” the railway station staff member said.
Efforts to reach Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the Kaduna State police command, for comments were unsuccessful as he did not respond to telephone calls.
Train transportation has become increasingly popular among Nigerians due to the persistent threat of banditry along major highways, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna highway. Although the highway has seen some improvements in security recently, many travelers still prefer the train due to the poor condition of the road, which has been under rehabilitation by the federal government for several years.
