By Emeka Blast 
Abuja–Kaduna Train Accident: Passengers Scramble After Derailment
Abuja, Nigeria – A passenger train traveling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on Tuesday morning, August 26, 2025, causing chaos and panic along one of Nigeria’s busiest rail corridors. The incident, which occurred around 11:09 a.m. at Kilometer 49 between Kubwa and Asham stations, left several coaches overturned and passengers scrambling for safety amid fears of bandit attacks. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the derailment, and rescue operations are underway, with no confirmed casualties reported as of press time.
Details of the Derailment
The Kaduna-bound train, identified as the AKTS service, departed Abuja around 9:45 a.m., according to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). Shortly after, it derailed at Asham, triggering a chaotic scene as passengers, including women and children, climbed out of overturned coaches. A video shared by NTA on X captured the aftermath, showing derailed carriages and passengers gathered outside, with one eyewitness describing how she escaped from the last coach to find others flipped over. Another report from Vanguard News noted the incident occurred closer to 11:00 a.m., highlighting discrepancies in exact timing but confirming the severity of the crash.
NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa issued a statement via the corporation’s official X handle, confirming the derailment and noting that emergency rescue operations were promptly activated. Medical personnel and nearby hospitals are on standby, and security operatives, including military personnel, have been deployed to secure the site and assist with evacuations. “I don’t want to say much for now, but the incident is confirmed, and the rescue operation is ongoing,” Opeifa told Daily Post Nigeria.
No Casualties, But Fear of Bandits Looms
While no deaths have been officially reported, eyewitnesses cited by GrassrootReporters noted minor injuries among passengers attempting to exit the derailed cabins. The lack of immediate fatalities was a relief for many, with some passengers praising divine intervention. However, fear of bandits, a persistent threat along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, heightened the panic. Daily Post Nigeria reported that passengers fled the scene, apprehensive of criminal attacks due to past incidents, including the March 2022 terrorist attack that killed several and led to service suspensions.
A Troubled Rail Corridor
The Abuja-Kaduna rail line, a critical route serving thousands daily, has faced repeated safety challenges. Just last week, on August 20, the NRC reported a “hot axle” fault near Rigasa Station, disrupting services for business-class passengers. Earlier in May 2024, another derailment occurred at Jeremy Station. The National Bureau of Statistics’ 2023 Social Statistics Report documented 183 derailments between 2020 and 2022, underscoring systemic issues. Vandalism, including theft of rail tracks and signaling equipment, remains a significant concern, with posts on X, such as one from @DejiAdesogan, calling for vandals to be treated as terrorists to prevent future incidents.
The NRC has not yet identified the cause of Tuesday’s derailment, but possible factors include mechanical failure, poor track maintenance, or sabotage. Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation, with emergency responders assessing the situation and working to clear the tracks.
Public Reaction and Calls for Reform
The incident has sparked outrage and concern on social media, with Nigerians on X expressing frustration over recurring derailments. One user wrote, “How many more times will this happen before we fix our rail system?” Others praised the swift response of security forces but demanded accountability from the NRC. The derailment follows recent maintenance issues on other routes, such as the Warri-Itakpe corridor, where services were suspended for urgent track repairs, as announced on August 22.
As rescue efforts continue, the NRC has assured the public that measures are in place to safely transport affected passengers back to Abuja. The incident reignites questions about the safety and reliability of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure, with calls growing for comprehensive reforms to address maintenance, security, and vandalism challenges.
