NRC Clarifies Delay in Reopening Abuja–Kaduna Railway Corridor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has addressed recent media reports about a delay in the resumption of its Abuja–Kaduna train service, attributing the setback to a safety-driven engine fault rather than negligence or abandonment.

NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said the train was returning to Kaduna after its backup engine began losing power just minutes after departure. He emphasised that the decision to pull back to Rigasa Station was made deliberately to minimise risk, noting that the train was less than 30 minutes into the journey when the issue was detected.

According to Opeifa, the train later resumed its journey around 4:00 p.m., arriving in Abuja approximately 80 minutes behind schedule.

He rejected claims that passengers were stranded, reassuring the public that safety, not speed, remains the corporation’s priority. “At no point were commuters abandoned,” Opeifa said.

NRC has previously confirmed the recovery of derailed coaches and locomotives from the August 26 incident. All affected infrastructure has undergone safety, technical, and operational inspections in preparation for the service’s full resumption.

The corporation also noted it has refunded 512 of the 583 passengers involved in the August derailment, with ongoing efforts to settle with the remaining travelers.

Oshuniran Sheriff Ola