Abuja–Kaduna Train Derails Near Jere, No Casualties Reported

A passenger train on the Abuja–Kaduna route derailed near Jere Station on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. 

Although there were no casualties, videos that quickly went viral online showed distressed passengers disembarking, with one voice saying: “the train is full and they are coming out.”

The derailment came just days after the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed a related technical issue, known as a hot axle, on one of the train’s coaches near Rigasa Station in Kaduna.

According to NRC, the August 20 incident was caused by abnormal heat in the journal housing, leading to wheel friction. At the time, officials said the train was safely marshalled into Kaduna and the problem was “promptly brought under control.”

Callistus Unyimadu, NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, reassured the public that safety measures were immediately applied to prevent escalation.

The latest derailment, however, has raised renewed concerns about rail safety and maintenance on one of Nigeria’s busiest train routes, which has already faced past security and technical challenges.