A passenger train derailed on Monday in northern Nigeria, leaving six passengers injured and several others stranded and causing panic along the route.
The passenger train reportedly went off track at Asham, along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, after departing Abuja at 9:45 am.
A viral video circulating online showed at least two coaches veering off the rail and tumbling to the ground.
One passenger, who shared the incident on social media, described the scene as chaotic, with commuters scrambling to safety in fear and confusion.
As of press time, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the derailment. The corporation confirmed that six passengers sustained minor injuries and have since been treated. It stated that the number of passengers onboard has not been ascertained yet.
However, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a probe into the derailment.
In a statement on Tuesday, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, said preliminary reports indicate that six passengers sustained injuries, with no fatalities recorded.
The Bureau said it has dispatched a go-team to the site to collect evidence, liaise with stakeholders, and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It quoted the NSIB Director General, Alex Badeh Jr., as expressing sympathy for those affected.
“We deeply sympathise with all who sustained injuries. The Bureau has deployed investigators to the site to ensure the root cause of this derailment is uncovered. Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation,” Badeh said.
The Bureau stated that the investigation will examine both direct and underlying factors contributing to the derailment, to issue recommendations to prevent future incidents. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
NSIB also extended support to all passengers impacted by the accident.
On his part, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has directed that every necessary support be extended to passengers of the Abuja- Kaduna bound train that derailed to minimize the impact of the unfortunate incident.
Sani also ordered the immediate treatment of any injured persons, as well as providing emergency psycho-socio support to them.
In a statement through the Kaduna State Commissioner of Information-designate, Ahmed Maiyaki, Governor Sani also called on residents to remain calm and go about their normal activities, assuring the public that the situation is under control.
He sympathised with the passengers and their families over this regrettable occurrence and reaffirms the government’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.
The statement further said that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the immediate cause of the derailment, adding that the state government is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with relevant federal authorities and security agencies.
However, military personnel and other security operatives were said to have been deployed to the scene to provide security to the stranded passengers and assist in evacuating them to a safer area.
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