Kaduna–Abuja train breaks down, passengers stranded midway

Passengers on the Abuja–Kaduna train service were left stranded after the train developed a fault a few minutes into its trip from Kaduna. The train, which departed Kaduna on Thursday at a few minutes past 2pm, encountered a problem about an hour into the journey around the Jere axis. A staff member of the train, […]

Passengers on the Abuja–Kaduna train service were left stranded after the train developed a fault a few minutes into its trip from Kaduna.

The train, which departed Kaduna on Thursday at a few minutes past 2pm, encountered a problem about an hour into the journey around the Jere axis.

A staff member of the train, who preferred to remain anonymous, attributed the breakdown to a suspected electrical fault.

“We left Kaduna around 2.30pm, but the train developed a fault around the Jere area before the Idah axis, around 3.30pm. We suspected an electrical fault,” he said.

Daily Trust gathered that there was no official statement yet from the management of the railway station regarding the incident or its cause.

It was further learnt that passengers on the train had to disembark through the Dutse area and make their way to the main road to continue their journey to Abuja.

A passenger identified as Abdul said he proceeded through the Dutse axis to the main highway with other passengers to get commercial vehicles to Abuja.

“As we speak, I’m already in Abuja because I left after the train broke down midway around the Jere area. The incident happened close to Idah, where the train had an accident about two months ago,” he said.

It was also gathered that most Abuja-bound passengers were stranded for almost two hours, hoping the train would be fixed in time, while others left the scene.

In August 2025, a Kaduna-bound train departing from the Kubwa station in Abuja derailed just minutes into its journey, leaving at least 14 passengers injured and sparking panic among commuters.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) subsequently announced the suspension of operations on the route until further notice following the August 2025 incident.

The August derailment occurred at the Asham sub-station, the first interchange point for trains heading to Kaduna from Abuja.

There was also a similar derailment at the Kubwa station on January 27, 2023, which disrupted train services for four days.