ABUJA – Several passengers sustained various degrees of injury on Monday morning following a collision involving two trains on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the vicinity of Asham Train Station. According to preliminary reports, a passenger train traveling toward Abuja collided with another train on the same track, resulting in a violent impact that caused a partial derailment of several coaches.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a chaotic environment immediately following the crash. “There was a sudden, massive jolt that threw people from their seats,” said one passenger who was evacuated from the wreckage. “Many people are bleeding, and some appear to have suffered broken limbs. We were stuck for a long time before help arrived.”
Emergency response teams from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and local medical services were dispatched to the site to provide first aid and evacuate the injured. While no fatalities have been officially confirmed at this hour, hospital sources in Abuja indicated that several victims are currently in critical condition.
The Managing Director of the NRC, in a brief statement, confirmed the accident and noted that a “coupling and signaling issue” is being investigated as a potential cause. All train services along the Abuja-Kaduna route have been indefinitely suspended to allow for the clearance of the tracks and a comprehensive safety assessment by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
This latest accident comes amid growing concerns over the safety and maintenance of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure. The Senate recently initiated a probe into the frequency of derailments and technical failures across the national rail network over the past year.
Hundreds of commuters remain stranded at the Idu and Rigasa stations as authorities work to provide alternative transportation. A full investigative report is expected within the next 48 hours.
