The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended train operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route after a train derailed on Sunday. The decision was announced by the NRC’s Managing Director, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, during a press briefing held in Abuja on Monday.
According to Mr. Opeifa, the suspension is a temporary measure to ensure passenger safety while investigations into the cause of the derailment are carried out.
“We are working closely with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and other relevant agencies to determine what led to the incident. Until we are confident that all safety concerns have been addressed, we will not resume operations on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor,” he stated.
The derailment, which occurred over the weekend, caused minor injuries to six passengers. Mr. Opeifa confirmed that all six individuals have received medical care and are now stable. However, the total number of passengers on board at the time of the incident is still being verified by the NRC.
Although no lives were lost, the incident has raised concerns among Nigerians who frequently use the Abuja-Kaduna railway service, a vital link between the Federal Capital Territory and the northwestern region of the country. The route has become a preferred means of transport due to security issues along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, which has witnessed several cases of kidnapping and armed attacks in recent years.
The NRC boss dismissed rumors suggesting that poor maintenance of trains may have led to the derailment. He stressed that the corporation maintains strict adherence to operational and safety standards.
“Our trains are regularly maintained, and we conduct routine checks in line with global best practices. It is wrong to jump to conclusions without waiting for the outcome of the investigation,” Mr. Opeifa explained.
He also announced that full refunds have already been processed for all affected passengers, adding that the NRC is committed to ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of its customers.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau has formally launched an investigation into the derailment. Officials from the NSIB, along with technical experts from the NRC and other safety agencies, are currently at the site of the incident gathering data and inspecting the railway infrastructure.
A spokesperson for the NSIB confirmed that the investigation will be thorough and independent, with the goal of preventing similar incidents in the future. “We take every railway accident seriously. Our goal is to understand what went wrong and recommend steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” the spokesperson said.
The Abuja-Kaduna train service was launched in 2016 and has grown to become one of the most popular train routes in the country. However, the service has faced challenges in the past. In March 2022, the route was temporarily shut down after a deadly terrorist attack on a train, which led to several deaths and the kidnapping of dozens of passengers.
That attack led to heightened security measures, including armed escorts and surveillance technology onboard. Sunday’s derailment, although not linked to any security threat so far, has once again drawn attention to the safety of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure.
As investigations continue, passengers and stakeholders are calling for greater investment in rail safety and emergency response mechanisms. Several commuters have expressed disappointment over the disruption but have welcomed the NRC’s swift response and promise to prioritize safety.
The NRC has not given a specific date for when services will resume but has assured the public that updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
“We appeal for understanding and patience. Safety is our top priority, and we are doing everything possible to restore services quickly and safely,” Mr. Opeifa concluded.
For now, commuters who depend on the Abuja-Kaduna railway will have to seek alternative means of transportation until the tracks are declared safe once again.
