By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has expressed sympathy to passengers aboard the Abuja-Kaduna train that derailed on Tuesday morning, urging stronger security and maintenance measures to safeguard the country’s rail transport system.
The passenger train, which departed Abuja at about 9:45 a.m., derailed at 11:09 a.m. around the 49-kilometre mark between Kubwa and Asham. Although details of casualties or damage were yet to be confirmed at press time, officials said emergency teams were quickly mobilised to the site.
In a statement signed by FEMD spokesperson, Nkechi Isa, the department confirmed that the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) had activated its emergency and security services to manage the situation.
Reacting from Abuja, the Acting Director General of FEMD, Engineer Abdulrahman Mohammed, commended the NRC for its swift intervention but called for more proactive measures to prevent future incidents.
“While we acknowledge the efforts of the NRC to respond to the derailment, there is an urgent need to step up security and maintenance of both the trains and the rail tracks. This will not only ensure passenger safety but also guard against possible sabotage,” Abdulrahman stated.
The FEMD boss emphasised that rail transport remains a vital component of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, stressing that its safety and reliability must be guaranteed at all times.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, which has been the subject of previous security challenges, with stakeholders reiterating calls for sustained vigilance and investment in critical infrastructure.
