On Tuesday, August 26, at approximately 11:09 a.m., a major derailment occurred along the Abuja–Kaduna railway line, leaving several passengers injured and halting rail services on the corridor.
The incident happened between Asham and Kubwa stations and involved a Kaduna-bound passenger train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
According to eyewitnesses, nearly all coaches left the track except for a single VIP executive coach, and at least two coaches were severely damaged, while others veered off but remained mostly intact.
“We were all terrified. I was on the floor, that’s how scared I was,” one shaken passenger recounted.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) responded swiftly to the scene, administering first aid to victims at Idah Primary Health Centre and transporting others to hospitals in Kaduna.
The NRC confirmed that six passengers were injured, with four seriously hurt and two treated and discharged on the same day. No fatalities were recorded.
The train was carrying 618 passengers at the time of the derailment, and refunds are being processed for all affected passengers.
NRC MD Takes Full Responsibility
NRC Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa has publicly taken responsibility for the incident in an interview.
“Beyond apologizing to Nigerians, I want to state clearly as the Managing Director and Chief Executive, I take full responsibility. When it comes to safety, there is no room for indifference. Once something like this happens, the chief executive must own it and I do.”
He assured the public that reconstruction of the damaged section will begin only after clearance from the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), which is currently investigating the incident.
“We shut down the Warri–Itakpe route three weeks ago for safety; we will apply the same safety audits to all routes,” Opeifa added, signalling a wider safety overhaul across NRC’s network.
Government Response And Investigation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, currently on an official trip abroad, issued a statement on his X handle, expressing concern and promising swift action.
“I await a full briefing to ensure swift action and support for all affected,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the NSIB has deployed a technical team to the site to conduct a comprehensive investigation. The bureau is gathering data, examining technical components, and interviewing eyewitnesses and NRC staff. The outcome will inform safety recommendations and guide reconstruction efforts.
Until the NSIB clears the site, the Abuja–Kaduna train service remains suspended, and operations on that corridor will not resume. Dr. Opeifa has confirmed that full reconstruction and safety audits will begin once the investigation is complete. Additionally, the NRC is planning a network-wide audit, similar to one recently conducted on the Warri–Itakpe line, to prevent future incidents and ensure passenger safety.
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