Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has attributed last month’s derailment of the Abuja–Kaduna passenger train to a combination of human error and excessive speed.
The train, which left Abuja for Kaduna on August 26, came off the tracks, leaving several coaches overturned. While the accident caused no deaths, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed that six passengers were hurt in the incident.
Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the NRC, said that 618 people were on board the service at the time of the crash. He explained that 22 passengers were injured, though all are now at different stages of recovery.
According to Opeifa, officials have so far managed to reach 512 passengers, while 71 remain out of contact due to incorrect details or lack of response. He said the corporation had concluded its internal review of the derailment and accepted the findings but would await further reports from the NSIB and a ministerial committee before final steps are taken.
Engineers have since re-railed the damaged coaches and locomotives, and the main track has been repaired for safe use. Work is ongoing to restore the secondary line, Opeifa added.
“Safety remains our top priority. The corporation reaffirms its determination to restore public confidence in rail services,” he said in the statement.
Detailing the outcome of the NRC’s internal probe, he explained: “Our in-house investigation revealed that the train was traveling at excessive speed, and the operator misapplied the emergency braking system. Management has accepted all recommendations of the investigative team and corrective measures are being implemented immediately.”
