By Muhammad Mamman
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has abruptly suspended all train operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route until further notice, following a derailment incident. NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the decision during a press briefing in Abuja, hours after the mishap on Tuesday morning.
Opeifa firmly dismissed allegations that the trains were in poor condition, assuring the public that ticket refunds have been initiated for all affected passengers. He personally met with some passengers at Asham station and Idu train station in Abuja, where six individuals were reported to have sustained minor injuries. All have received medical attention, though the precise number of passengers on board remains unconfirmed.
A thorough investigation is underway, with NRC technical staff collaborating with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and other agencies at the derailment site. The NSIB has launched a formal probe, deploying a specialist team to gather evidence and engage with stakeholders to determine the incident’s cause.
Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, confirmed that six passengers sustained injuries, with no fatalities reported. NSIB Director General Alex Badeh Jr. expressed heartfelt sympathy, stating, “We deeply sympathise with all those affected. Our investigators are on-site to uncover the root cause of this derailment, ensuring safer rail transport through a transparent and independent investigation.”
The NSIB’s inquiry will scrutinise both immediate and underlying factors contributing to the incident, with recommendations to prevent future occurrences. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses, and support has been extended to all affected passengers.
The derailment occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on Tuesday along the Kaduna corridor, moments after the train departed Abuja. A passenger described the scene as “utterly chaotic,” with people scrambling to safety. The NRC and NSIB remain committed to restoring confidence in Nigeria’s rail network as they work to address this unsettling disruption.
