NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Service After Derailment

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has halted operations on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor following Tuesday’s derailment that left several passengers injured.

Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, announced the suspension while briefing journalists in Abuja, hours after the incident. He confirmed that technical staff of the corporation, officials of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies were already on site to determine the cause of the derailment.

Opeifa dismissed concerns about the condition of the trains, insisting they remain safe. He added that refunds had been initiated for all passengers affected by the disruption. The NRC chief also received some of the travellers at the Asham and Idu train stations in Abuja.

According to him, six passengers sustained minor injuries and were immediately treated, though the exact number of passengers onboard the train has yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile, the NSIB said it has opened a formal investigation into the derailment. Its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, disclosed that a go-team had been dispatched to collect evidence, engage stakeholders, and probe the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Quoting the Bureau’s Director General, Alex Badeh Jr., she said: “We deeply sympathise with all who sustained injuries. The Bureau has deployed investigators to the site to ensure the root cause of this derailment is uncovered. Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation.”

The NSIB explained that its probe would focus on both direct and underlying causes of the incident, with the aim of issuing safety recommendations to prevent future occurrences. It also assured passengers impacted by the accident of continued support throughout the investigation.

The derailment occurred around 11 a.m. along the Kaduna corridor, shortly after the train departed Abuja. A passenger on board described the moment as chaotic, with travellers scrambling to safety in panic.