Nigerian Train Derails, Kills Four Persons

An 11-coach train with one cargo coach at the weekend derailed in Jebba, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State. Sadly, four people died and three were injured in the accident.

An eyewitness said the train derailed on Saturday night. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sabiu Zakari said that families of two of the victims had been identified. He went on an inspection of the scene, representing the Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.






“We were informed when the accident happened and we swung into action immediately, but it is unfortunate that we lost four people, while three others sustained injuries. The three injured have been treated and discharged. The Federal Government picked up their bills.

“For the dead, we have been able to identify two of them at the mortuary and we have contacted their families. We will continue to look for the families of the remaining two. Once we get them, government will take responsibility of their burial and we will also facilitate the transportation of the bodies to their relations,” he said.

Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Fidet Okhiria said: “No time for blame game but to reflect on what happened, mourn those who died and commiserate with their families.”

He added that those in the coach were illegal passengers who hid in the loads packed by the coach.

“There are 12 coaches going to Kano from Lagos and 11 of them are already in Kano. The last one was the one that was involved in the accident. The train that was involved in the accident is not a passenger coach but a carrier one. So those people who died there are illegal passengers who hide in the loads.”