By Abayomi Grace
The Nigerian Railway Corporation has confirmed the safe evacuation of 618 individuals from a derailed Abuja-Kaduna Train Service that occurred on Tuesday around KM 49 between Kubwa and Asham stations. The evacuated persons included 583 passengers, 15 NRC crew members, one medical staff, eight cleaners, and 11 catering personnel. Seven passengers sustained injuries of varying degrees and were immediately transported to hospitals by ambulances deployed to the site.
The NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, assured that the remaining passengers were conveyed safely back to Idu and Kubwa stations aboard a rescue train dispatched from Idu for that purpose. “All have since returned safely to their destinations,” he said. In line with NRC’s commitment to passenger welfare, its third-party ticketing company has been directed to immediately issue refunds to all passengers onboard the affected train ¹ ².
The Abuja-Kaduna Train Service was temporarily suspended pending recovery of the site, further clearance, and official announcement of service resumption. The NRC has launched an investigation into the incident under the supervision of relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Transport. Dr. Opeifa expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and appreciation for the understanding of esteemed passengers and the general public ³.
The derailment occurred at approximately 11:09 a.m. on Tuesday, and the NRC responded promptly to ensure the safe evacuation of all passengers. The corporation’s swift response and commitment to passenger safety have been commended by many. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the NRC is working to determine the cause of the derailment ⁴.
