Passengers stranded as Abuja-Kaduna train derails near Jere

An Abuja-Kaduna passenger train derailed on Tuesday near Jere Station, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The incident, which occurred at about 11:09 a.m. between Kubwa and Asham stations, did not result in any casualties.

A video circulating online showed passengers disembarking, with onlookers remarking that the train was “full and they are coming out.”

Confirming the development, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, said emergency responders were immediately mobilised to the scene.

“NRC confirms a train derailment involving its Kaduna-bound AKTS service at about 11:09 a.m. at KM 49 between Kubwa station and Asham station. Emergency rescue, medical personnel, and nearby hospitals have already been mobilised,” Opeifa said.

He added that a full complement of security personnel had been deployed, while efforts were ongoing to safely return all passengers to Abuja.

The incident comes barely a week after the NRC reported a mechanical fault on the same route, when a coach experienced a hot axle near Rigasa Station in Kaduna. That fault was attributed to abnormal temperatures caused by wheel friction.