NRC Suspends Abuja-Kaduna Train Service after Derailment Injures Six
- The Nigerian Railway Corporation has suspended Abuja-Kaduna train operations following a derailment that injured six passengers
- The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau has launched a full probe to determine the root cause and prevent future accidents
- NRC assured passengers of refunds and maintained that the trains are in good working condition despite public concerns
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Train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor have been suspended following a derailment that left several passengers injured.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the suspension on Tuesday, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
Source: Twitter
NRC dispatches officials to scene
NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, told journalists in Abuja that technical staff of the corporation, together with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and other relevant agencies, are at the scene carrying out assessments.
He said initial findings show that six passengers sustained minor injuries and were treated. The actual number of passengers on board has not yet been established.
Opeifa rejected claims that the trains were not in proper working condition. He explained that refunds have already been initiated for passengers who were affected by the disruption.
Source: Twitter
The NRC boss also met with some travellers at the Asham station and the Idu train station in Abuja to assure them of ongoing safety measures.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning shortly after the train left Abuja for Kaduna around 11 a.m. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as chaotic as passengers rushed to safety.
Investigation launched into cause of derailment
Meanwhile, the NSIB has opened a formal investigation into the derailment. Its Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, confirmed that six passengers sustained injuries, but no deaths were recorded.
She said a go-team has been deployed to the site to gather evidence, liaise with stakeholders, and determine the circumstances behind the derailment.
NSIB Director General, Alex Badeh Jr., expressed sympathy for the victims and reassured Nigerians of the Bureau’s commitment to safety.
“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,” he stated.
The Bureau added that the probe will consider both immediate and systemic issues that may have contributed to the accident. Recommendations will be made to forestall a recurrence, while updates will be issued as the investigation progresses.
The Abuja-Kaduna line is one of the busiest train routes in the country, often considered a safer alternative to road travel in the region.
The suspension is expected to affect thousands of commuters until services are restored.
Bandits kill over 35 in Zamfara
Earlier, Legit.ng reported at least 35 abductees were killed by kidnappers in Nigeria’s northern Zamfara State, despite families having paid substantial ransom sums for their release, a local government official told the BBC.
The mass abduction occurred in March when 56 individuals were seized from Banga village, located in the Kauran Namoda Local Government Area.
The attackers, described as armed criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits, demanded a ransom of one million naira (approximately $655 or £485) per person, according to Nigerian media reports.
Source: Legit.ng
