The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has stated that the situation involving a passenger train traveling on the Asham section of the Abuja–Kaduna railway line was not a derailment, countering earlier media narratives.
In their explanation, the corporation indicated that a derailment occurs when a train's wheels come off the track, obstructing its movement.
The NRC clarified that this was not the case regarding the Asham occurrence.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation affirmed that the train remained securely on the tracks during the event and successfully reached Idu Railway Station, allowing passengers to disembark without further issues.
This clarification came after reports characterized the event as a derailment, following a collision with an unidentified object along the rail path connecting Abuja and Kaduna.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) announced the onset of an investigation into the rail incident involving the passenger train on the Rigasa–Idu route.
Funke Arowojobe, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, elaborated that the incident occurred around 09:16 hours near the Jere–Asham section close to Asham Station in Kaduna State, situated on a downward slope.
The train, labeled KA2, departed from Rigasa Railway Station in Kaduna as part of its scheduled run to Idu Station in Abuja. It was in operation within the designated service hours of 07:15 to 10:01, arriving at Jere Station at 08:52 and leaving again at 08:59 for its journey toward Abuja.
Upon reaching Jere Station, a rear locomotive was coupled to the train for supplementary support. However, just after leaving the station, the rear locomotive became detached, rolling forward and impacting the back of the train while it continued on a downward slope, leading to a significant operational issue.
NSIB stated that its investigators have begun collecting evidence and analyzing the incident to ascertain the conditions leading to this event. The investigation will focus on evaluating technical, operational, and infrastructure elements, such as train formation, locomotive coupling systems, operational protocols, and pertinent operational records.
Captain Alex Badeh Jr., Director General of the NSIB, expressed concern for the injured passengers and reasserted the bureau’s dedication to uncovering the details surrounding the incident.
“This event serves as a stark reminder that every journey depends on the trust and expectations of many individuals who rely on transportation systems for their safe travel,” he stated.
The Director General noted, “We are thinking of the injured passengers and appreciate the rapid response by NRC and emergency teams assisting those affected. At the Bureau, we undertake every investigation with a profound sense of responsibility, as it involves real people with real families having tangible consequences. Our team will meticulously assess all relevant factors to comprehend the situation and learn from it to enhance railway safety across Nigeria.”
The NSIB has indicated it will collaborate with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and other pertinent organizations as the inquiry progresses.
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