Nigerian Railway Corporation Announces Significant Progress in Abuja-Kaduna Line Recovery

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reported substantial progress in the recovery and repair efforts following the derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train on August 26. The incident occurred near the Asham station.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, confirmed that all derailed coaches and locomotives have been successfully re-railed and recovered. These assets have been moved to designated workshops for comprehensive technical assessment and repair.

Dr. Opeifa announced that the main train line has been restored to a safe operational standard. However, work continues on the secondary track, which will remain closed until all necessary repairs are finalized. To ensure long-term safety and reliability, engineers have begun a full infrastructure assessment of the entire corridor.

“The Corporation’s absolute priority is safety,” stated Dr. Opeifa. “Service will resume only after the completion of all inspections, technical tests, and certifications. We are committed to restoring public confidence in our rail services.”

Regarding passenger welfare, the NRC confirmed that of the 618 passengers on board, 22 sustained injuries and are currently recovering. The Corporation has successfully contacted 512 passengers, but efforts to reach the remaining 71 individuals are ongoing due to incorrect or unresponsive contact information.

Dr. Opeifa disclosed that the NRC’s internal investigation has concluded, attributing the cause to human error involving excessive speed and the misapplication of the emergency brake. While management has accepted these findings, the Corporation is awaiting final reports from a Ministerial Committee and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau before implementing final decisions.

The Managing Director expressed gratitude to passengers for their patience and thanked the media and security agencies for their support during the recovery operations. An official announcement regarding the resumption of services is expected shortly.