- NRC Uses MD Opeifa Ride to Restore Passenger Confidence after Abuja-Kaduna Train Accident
- On October 1, 2025, the suspension was lifted after weeks of intensive inspections
- The first train departed from Idu Station in Abuja, stopped at Kubwa to pick up passengers
Following the derailment of a Kaduna-bound train in Asham that caused varying degrees of injuries on 21 passengers, the management team of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has moved to restore passenger confidence in the affected Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).
Eko Hot Blog recall that the August 26, 2025 accident, which caused carriages to overturn with passengers scrambling for safety, involved NRC’s train number AK1, powered by locomotive CDD5c2 2701.
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The NRC promptly suspended services on the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor following the derailment which happened around 11 am that fateful morning.
But on October 1, 2025, the suspension was lifted after weeks of intensive inspections, safety checks, and staff training were reportedly carried out. Early in the aftermath of the accident, the NRC attributed the derailment to human error, excessive speeding, and misapplication of the emergency brake system.
But a different picture was painted by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) which blamed poor infrastructure maintenance and operational lapses as the primary causes of the derailment.
Its report pointed to a broken point clip and an unserviceable automatic switch mechanism at Asham Station. With the equipment inoperative, railway staff were forced to manually operate and lock the switch a risky procedure that set the stage for disaster.
As operations resumed in the AKTS on Wednesday, the Nigerian Railway honchos led by the corporation’s Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa tried to reassure members of the public that all is now well by riding along with others in the train.
The first train departed from Idu Station in Abuja, stopped at Kubwa to pick up passengers, and successfully arrived at Rigasa Station in Kaduna. A return trip was also scheduled for the same day, signaling the full restoration of passenger train operations on the corridor.
The NRC explained that onboarding of its MD in the resumption ride was for him to personally witness the progress so far made and help rebuild public confidence in the service.
Speaking with journalists after arrival at Rigasa, Dr. Opeifa expressed satisfaction and glorified God Almighty for His grace during the corporation’s recovery period. He highlighted the central role of a modern railway system in fostering national unity and development, pointing out that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, has invested massively in rail infrastructure across the country.
Opeifa expressed his resolve to turn around the NRC fortunes by prioritising the completion of ongoing projects, optimisation of existing national rail assets, rehabilitation of all serviceable rolling stocks, expanding services, improving customer experience and modernisation of operations and its efficiency particularly along the AKTS corridor.
He further disclosed that a dedicated Customer Service Department has been established to promptly address passenger concerns and improve service delivery.
On safety, the NRC boss reassured passengers and staff of the corporation’s unwavering commitment to security through the visible presence of police and military personnel along the corridor and in stations,noting that discreet but effective security measures have been put in place to safeguard all stakeholders.
Opeifa ended by reaffirming his determination to position the NRC as a world-class, passenger-friendly service provider, capable of driving socio-economic growth through modern, safe, and efficient rail transport systems across the country.
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