Passengers on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor have narrated their ordeals following Monday’s train incident that left several travellers injured and hundreds stranded.
Recall that the incident, which occurred near Asham on the
Abuja–Kaduna route, injured at least 22 passengers, who have since been taken
to medical facilities for treatment.
Following the incident, rail services on the corridor were
temporarily suspended following the development, with efforts ongoing to
restore normal operations.
Some of the passengers, who spoke with NAN on Tuesday in
Kaduna, said the experience was frightening and underscored the need for
preventive measures to avoid a recurrence.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, a passenger aboard the affected train,
described the moment of impact as sudden and chaotic.
“We felt a heavy jolt from the rear, and people started
screaming. It was confusing because many of us initially thought it was a
collision with another train,” he said.
Musa urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to
prioritise routine technical inspections, particularly during locomotive
coupling.
“They should double-check all connections before moving.
Something like this can be avoided if proper attention is given,” he added.
Another passenger, Mrs Grace Daniel, said the incident
caused panic among travellers, especially those in the rear coach, where most
of the injuries occurred.
“Some passengers fell on each other during the impact. It
was scary, especially for children and elderly people on board,” she said.
Daniel appealed to the NRC to improve communication with
passengers during emergencies and ensure that safety briefings are provided
before departure.
“We need to be informed about safety procedures. It will
help people stay calm if anything goes wrong,” she said.
An official of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in Kaduna,
who spoke on condition of anonymity, said preliminary findings pointed to a
coupling issue involving a backup locomotive attached to the train.
The official clarified that the incident was not a
head-on-collision between two trains but involved the rear locomotive striking
the power car and the last passenger coach.
“What happened was a technical issue during the attachment
of a backup engine. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause and
to prevent future occurrences,” the official said.
He assured passengers that the corporation was taking steps
to strengthen safety measures, including reviewing operational procedures and
reinforcing staff training.
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