BREAKING: Several Passengers Injured as Abuja–Kaduna Train Derails After Collisio

Several passengers were injured on Monday after a train travelling along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed following a collision, authorities have confirmed.

The incident reportedly occurred near Asham along the busy rail line linking Abuja with Kaduna State, causing panic among passengers onboard the train.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the development, stating that emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene following the derailment.

According to preliminary reports, the train derailed after colliding with another object on the track, though officials have yet to disclose full details about the circumstances surrounding the accident.

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Several passengers sustained injuries during the incident and were evacuated to the medical facility at the Idu Railway Station for treatment. Authorities, however, said no fatalities had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.

Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media showed damaged train coaches and railway personnel assessing the situation while stranded passengers gathered near the tracks after disembarking from the train.

The Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor is one of Nigeria’s busiest passenger routes and serves thousands of commuters daily, particularly travellers seeking a safer alternative to road transportation.

Officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation said investigations have commenced to determine the exact cause of the collision and derailment.

More details are expected as authorities continue rescue operations and assess the extent of the damage.

BREAKING: Several Passengers Injured as Abuja–Kaduna Train Derails After Collision

NRC Investigates Assault Allegation Against UI Lecturer at Moniya Station

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has launched an investigation into an **alleged assault on a lecturer from the University of Ibadan (UI) at the Moniya train station in Oyo State, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The incident reportedly occurred on [specific date if available], when the academic was reportedly involved in a confrontation with NRC staff and/or security personnel at the Moniya rail station. Details remain sketchy, but eye‑witness accounts suggest that the lecturer sustained physical injuries during the altercation before other commuters intervened and security operatives were called to the scene.

Following complaints from the lecturer and concerned passengers, the NRC’s management announced that it has set up a panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, including reviewing available footage from station cameras, interviewing witnesses and questioning staff members who were on duty at the time.

In a brief statement, the NRC said it “takes the safety and dignity of passengers and members of the public very seriously” and pledged to ensure a thorough, impartial probe into the matter. The corporation added that appropriate disciplinary or legal action would be taken against any staff found culpable.

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The alleged assault has sparked reactions on social media, with many users calling for transparency in the investigation and respectful treatment of passengers by transportation officials. Some commenters urged the NRC to release statements and evidence as the probe progresses to reassure the public.

Sources also indicate that the affected lecturer received medical attention following the incident, though the extent of the injuries has not been officially disclosed.

The NRC has advised commuters who witnessed the incident to cooperate with investigators and provide any information that may assist in clarifying what happened.

As the probe continues, the outcome is expected to determine whether any NRC personnel will face sanctions or criminal charges, and whether changes to staff conduct policies at train stations will be implemented.

This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the NRC to improve rail safety and customer service standards as part of broader reforms within Nigeria’s railway sector.

NRC Investigates Assault Allegation Against UI Lecturer at Moniya Station

NRC seeks state backing for railway police, unveils plan to electrify rail lines

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has called for stronger collaboration between state governments and the railway police, warning that safeguarding rail infrastructure is central to protecting Nigeria’s mobility corridors and sustaining economic growth.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a flagship programme on Channels Television, on Saturday, Opeifa said the railway police currently operate in 26 states and should be treated by state governments as an integral part of their local security architecture.

According to him, rail lines cut across multiple states and serve as critical national assets whose protection requires coordinated security efforts beyond federal agencies alone.

“The security of railway infrastructure is tied to the security of our mobility corridors,” he said, urging state authorities to actively support the Railway Police to prevent vandalism and other threats to the network.

Drawing from his experience as a former commissioner in Lagos, Opeifa recalled how Railway Police personnel once assisted the state government during the cleanup of the Oshodi transport hub, describing it as an example of how inter-agency collaboration can protect strategic public infrastructure.

“The history of the Nigerian Railway Corporation is the history of Nigeria itself,” he said, noting that the challenges facing the rail system often mirror broader national development issues.

Opeifa traced the current wave of railway modernisation to 2015, when the country began shifting from narrow gauge to modern standard gauge rail lines under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He noted that several landmark rail projects were delivered during that period, including the Abuja–Kaduna Railway, Warri–Itakpe line, Abuja Rail Mass Transit and the Lagos–Ibadan Railway, while work also began on the ambitious Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor.

The NRC boss also highlighted the constitutional amendment that moved railway from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, saying the reform has opened the door for states such as Lagos, Kano, Ogun and Plateau to participate more actively in rail development.

He disclosed that the corporation has developed a national rail map that shows how emerging state rail projects can connect with the national rail network to create a more integrated transport system.

As part of its long-term strategy, Opeifa revealed that the NRC plans to electrify major rail corridors within the next five years, starting with Warri and Lagos where gas resources could support power generation for electric train operations.

He said electrification would improve efficiency, reduce operating costs and align Nigeria’s railway operations with global best practices.

Beyond infrastructure expansion, the NRC chief also addressed operational challenges such as ticket racketeering, attributing the problem largely to high passenger demand.

To curb the practice, he said the corporation has introduced a double verification process for passengers—one check at the waiting area and another during boarding—which has significantly reduced illegal ticket sales.

Opeifa further assured travellers that security on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor remains strong, noting that train operations and station activities are monitored from a central control room. He added that the corporation plans to replicate similar monitoring systems on other routes.

In response to rising passenger traffic, he disclosed that the number of daily trips on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service has been increased to three.

Looking ahead, Opeifa said the corporation is also exploring ways to harness the tourism and entertainment potential of railway services, promising that the NRC will continue expanding operations while positioning rail transport as a key driver of national integration and economic development.