By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Several passengers sustained injuries on Monday morning when a train traveling from Kaduna to Abuja suddenly stopped after a loud bang along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor. The incident occurred during the morning trip on the busy route linking Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory. Commuters on board experienced panic after the violent jolt threw passengers against seats and metal fittings. Officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have begun assessing the situation to determine what caused the disruption.
Passengers Describe Panic Inside Coaches
Passengers said the train jolted violently moments after a loud sound echoed through the coaches. As a result, several commuters lost balance and collided with seats and metal parts inside the compartments.
Some passengers also suffered cuts and bruises during the impact. Eyewitnesses said the sudden stop left many commuters shocked and confused.
One passenger, Sada Malumfashi, described the frightening moment in a post on the social media platform X shortly after leaving the train.
He wrote that the loud bang forced the train to stop abruptly, throwing passengers around the coach.
According to him, several commuters began bleeding while others struggled to regain balance.
Train Delayed Before Moving Toward Kubwa
Meanwhile, passengers said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes after the incident.
Afterward, it resumed movement slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
However, commuters complained about the lack of immediate communication from railway authorities during the delay.
NRC Confirms Incident
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the disruption.
He assured that the corporation would release a formal statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In addition, a senior NRC official acknowledged that the train experienced a serious operational issue that forced the sudden stop.
However, the official declined to provide more details because he lacked authorization to speak publicly.
Possible Train Collision Under Investigation
Eyewitness accounts also suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor.
Consequently, rail operations paused temporarily while officials checked the tracks and ensured passenger safety.
Nevertheless, railway authorities have not confirmed the collision claim.
Investigators are currently reviewing the incident to determine the exact cause.
Abuja–Kaduna Rail Line Remains Strategic Route
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line remains one of Nigeria’s busiest passenger routes. Every day, thousands of commuters rely on the service for safer travel between the two cities.
Therefore, disruptions on the corridor often raise concerns among travelers who depend on the railway system for daily transportation.
Railway officials are expected to release further updates as investigations continue.
