By Ridwanullah Sakariyah
Passengers on the Abuja–Kaduna rail line were thrown into panic on Monday after a train developed a fault mid-journey, leaving 26 people injured.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, said the incident happened around 9:16 a.m. when part of the train engine detached and struck another section supplying power.
Speaking on Channels, Opeifa said, “At about 9:16 am, probably, there was a detachment of the attached engine, and it hit the power car, the one supplying electricity to the train, and that hit the lands coach SP-006 that was attached to it. That caused a shutdown.”
He explained that the train was operating with one engine instead of the required two, according to their “protocol”. To fix this, the rear engine was moved to the front to continue the journey.
He explained, “When the train got to Ojere, the back of the engine was attached, and the train continued its movement towards Asham on its way to Idu.”
The train later resumed movement after engineers removed the faulty locomotive. The delay lasted about 30 minutes.
“The 30 minutes were meant to remove the accidented train engine, that is the locomotive, and passengers were moved into the other five coaches at Kubwa, which was the next stop.
Passengers were rearranged into other coaches at Kubwa, the next stop. Those with serious injuries were taken to a hospital in Kubwa, while others continued to Idu.
He added, “The seriously injured or those who needed immediate medical attention were disembarked and taken to a hospital in Kubwa, while the rest of the passengers and some others injured were taken to Idu.”
Despite the disruption, the train completed its journey.
The incident adds to a growing list of rail accidents on the Abuja–Kaduna route, and thus, raises fresh concerns about safety. The Senate has already begun a nationwide investigation into repeated rail failures across the country.
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