Kano-bound Train Derails at Jebba, Two Passengers Killed

A passenger train that departed Lagos for Kano on Friday derailed at Jebba in the early hours of yesterday, leaving at least two dead and many passengers injured, according to an online report.

A survivor of the crash said the train left Lagos at 12:00 noon on Friday with dozens of passengers and consignments, and added that the crash occurred after the train suffered brake failure at Jebba train station shortly after 7am; more than 19 hours after leaving Lagos.

The survivor, who sought anonymity, said the accident claimed at least four lives with undetermined number of injured commuters currently undergoing treatment at various emergency facilities in the town.

“The train left Lagos yesterday (Friday) and crashed in Jebba this morning around 7 a.m. as it was trying to stop for those of us coming to Jebba,” the survivor said. “It was due to brake failure.”

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who responded to the emergency said two persons were confirmed dead after detached coaches from the train fell on passengers.

FRSC’s Head of Media Relations, Bisi Kazeem, told the online publication that the train was conveying goods to Kano, but had few passengers on-board.
“The accident occurred this morning near Jebba Paper Mill and we can confirm that two people, unfortunately, lost their lives and three people were injured,” Kazeem said. “The train is used more as a cargo train, but it had some travellers inside.”

He further stated that road safety officials and police worked together to rescue trapped passengers and evacuate the injured to the hospital. “With the support of the police, we were able to get those who were trapped out alive and took those who survived injuries to the hospital,” he added.