Daniel Otera
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has officially concluded its internal investigation into the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment, attributing the incident to human error, excessive speeding, and improper use of the emergency braking system.
The derailment, which occurred on August 26, left 22 passengers injured, with some experiencing severe trauma. The NRC, under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Opeifa, provided an update on the investigation, recovery, and ongoing repair efforts.
In a statement released on Monday, the NRC confirmed that the necessary recovery and repair actions were successfully completed. This includes re-railing the affected coaches and locomotives, which are now undergoing further technical evaluation. The statement also clarified that the main line has been repaired to ensure safe resumption of train services, though the secondary track remains under repair until all necessary work is completed.
Dr. Opeifa explained that the investigation points to several critical factors that led to the derailment. He stated, “Our investigation reveals human error, excessive speed, and misapplication of the emergency braking system as the primary causes of the incident.” The NRC is awaiting further findings from a committee formed by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.
The August 26 incident, which took place shortly after the train departed from Abuja for Kaduna, left the carriages overturned, sending passengers into a state of panic. Many on board initially feared a terrorist attack, given the chaos and confusion that followed. Thankfully, the recovery operation proceeded smoothly, and the NRC has reached out to 512 of the 618 affected passengers, though 71 passengers remain unreachable due to various reasons.
Opeifa expressed gratitude to both the passengers and the public for their patience during the recovery phase. He also acknowledged the support from the media and security agencies, whose timely interventions ensured the safety of everyone involved in the operation.
Regarding the resumption of services, Opeifa assured that while operations on the main line will begin soon, a thorough safety and infrastructure assessment is ongoing. He emphasized that no corners would be cut in ensuring the highest standards of safety before full operations resume. “We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the railway corridor to prevent future incidents,” he added.