At least 26 people were injured on Monday after a Kaduna–Abuja train service experienced a mid-journey collision near Asham Station, causing delays and prompting an ongoing investigation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The KA-2 service departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m. on schedule and arrived at Jere Station slightly ahead of time at 8:52 a.m. However, its departure from Jere was delayed by six minutes to allow for the coupling of locomotives aimed at improving operational resilience.
The incident occurred at about 9:16 a.m. as the train approached Asham Station between kilometres 50 and 51. Passengers and crew reported hearing a loud bang, after which it was discovered that the power car and trailing locomotive had collided with one of the passenger coaches. Preliminary findings point to a possible coupler malfunction, though officials confirmed that no derailment occurred.
In response, three affected components locomotive 2809, power car BVA0002, and passenger coach SP0006 were detached from the train. The service resumed movement at 9:42 a.m., arriving in Kubwa at 10:10 a.m. and terminating at Idu Station at 10:39 a.m., with a total delay of 38 minutes.
A total of 481 were onboard at the time of the incident, comprising 429 passengers, 10 crew members, 26 security personnel, six vendors, eight cleaners, and two third-party operators.
Emergency responders attended to them with 26 individuals reported to have sustained varying degrees of injuries. No fatalities were recorded.
Rail services later resumed, though behind schedule. The return Abuja–Kaduna service (AK1) departed Idu at 2:48 p.m. and arrived at Rigasa at 5:33 p.m. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, was onboard along with other officials overseeing recovery efforts.
Another service, KA-4, departed Rigasa at 6:12 p.m. and arrived at Idu Station, Abuja, at 8:58 p.m., signaling a gradual restoration of normal operations.
The corporation said investigations are ongoing and further updates will be communicated as more details emerge.
About The Author
