.NRC confirms injuries in Abuja-Kaduna train mishap
By Yahaya Umar
Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, yesterday recorded yet another derailment on its Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor as the country grapples with about 200 mishaps in the last six years.
Following the incident a statement signed by the NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, indicated that the latest incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m.near Asham, involving a rear locomotive and a passenger coach.
Opeifa said preliminary reports indicated that the rear locomotive made contact with the rear immediately next to it (rear) due to a coupling issue.
According to him “Some passengers sustained injuries and were promptly attended to and taken to a nearby medical facility for proper medical care. No fatalities were recorded.
“Emergency response protocols were immediately activated, and relevant technical teams have been mobilized to the location.
“The Safety Investigation Bureau, SIB, is also on site to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident in line with established safety procedures”.
The managing director said the train arrived Idu station at about 10.39am, 38 minutes behind schedule due to time allowed to remove the incident rear locomotive and coach Sp 0006.
“The Corporation assures the public that safety remains its top priority, and all necessary measures are being taken to address the situation and ensure the continued safe operation of train services.
“Further details will be communicated as more information becomes available”, he said.
Meanwhile Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has given insight into a railway incident involving a passenger train operating on the Rigasa–Idu rail corridor.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Arowojobe, said the train, identified as KA2, departed Rigasa Railway Station in Kaduna.
She said shortly after departure from Jere station, the rear locomotive became detached while the train proceeded along the downward gradient toward the Asham section.
She explained that the detached locomotive subsequently rolled forward and struck the rear portion of the train, resulting in a serious operational occurrence.
‘’At the time of the incident, the train consisted of two locomotives positioned at the front and rear, one power car, two business class coaches, and six standard passenger coaches.
‘’The train conveyed a total of 429 passengers. Onboard personnel included 46 crew members as well as 24 security personnel assigned to the service.
‘’No fatalities were recorded but some passengers sustained injuries. Immediate response actions were initiated by personnel of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and security personnel onboard the train”, she said.
Arowojobe said medical personnel had provided first aid assistance to affected passengers.
She added that, following the occurrence, the train proceeded to Idu Station in Abuja where it arrived at approximately 10:39 a.m., where additional assistance was provided to passengers.
Arowojobe explained that NSIB investigators had commenced evidence gathering and analysis to determine the circumstances surrounding the occurrence.
She said the investigation would examine technical, operational, and infrastructure factors, including train configuration, locomotive attachment systems, operational procedures, and relevant operational data.
“The occurrence took place at approximately 09:16 a.m. along the Jere–Asham section near Asham Station in Kaduna State. The section of track where the event occurred was located on a downward gradient.
‘’The train operated within the scheduled service window of 07:15 a.m. to 10:01 a.m. and arrived at Jere Station at 08:52 a.m. before departing again at 08:59a.m. to continue the journey toward Abuja”, she said.
Besides, NSIB Director- General, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., expressed concern for the affected passengers and reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to uncovering the facts behind the occurrence.
“This incident reminds us that every transport journey carries the trust and expectations of hundreds of people who rely on the system to move them safely to their destination.
“Our thoughts are with the passengers who sustained injuries, and we commend the swift response of Nigerian Railway Corporation personnel and emergency teams who assisted those affected.
‘’At the Bureau, we approach every investigation with a deep sense of responsibility because behind every occurrence are real people, real families, and real consequences”, he said.
According to him, NSIB team will carefully examine every relevant factor to understand what happened and to ensure that the lessons from the occurrence lead to safer railway operations across Nigeria.
The director general affirmed that the bureau would work closely with the NRC and other relevant agencies as the investigation progresses.
Badeh added that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
Accirding to National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, 183 cases between 2020 and 2022.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the figure rose to 189 derailments between 2019 and 2025.
In 2020, 57 derailments were recorded, followed by 61 in 2021 and 65 in 2022.
It would be recalled that in August last year, the Abuja–Kaduna train service was suspended in the wake a derailment that left six passengers critically injured.
Other cases included one in January 2019 when a Lagos-bound train derailed at Ashade, killing one passenger.
Also, in May 2024, a Kaduna-bound train derailed near Jere, resulting in halting operations for days.
Another derailment occurred a month later on the Abuja–Kaduna line, while in August 2024, a Lagos–Ibadan freight train fell of the tracks.
In November last year the NEC recommended an incident involving Warri-Itakpe train derailment in the Agbor, Delta State.
