The Nigerian Railway Corporation has taken responsibility for the derailment of the Abuja-Kaduna train, which occurred on Tuesday along the Kaduna corridor. Managing Director Kayode Opeifa acknowledged the incident, stating that four passengers were seriously injured. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
According to Opeifa, the corporation is conducting a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident. He emphasized that safety is a top priority and accepted full responsibility as the Managing Director. The injuries of four passengers were serious, while two others were discharged immediately. The corporation will follow up on the passengers who were hospitalized and also provide support to the remaining 618 passengers who may have experienced post-traumatic stress.
Opeifa noted that the incident should not have happened and assured Nigerians that the corporation would take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. He cited the example of the Warri-Itakpe route, which was shut down three weeks ago for safety reasons. The corporation is working to replace and upgrade the tracks to ensure safe operations.
When asked about the possibility of sabotage, Opeifa declined to comment, stating that it would be premature to speculate on the cause of the incident. He assured Nigerians that the tracks are safe from vandalism and terrorism, with military personnel monitoring the corridor. The Nigerian Air Force and army responded quickly to the incident, with a helicopter arriving at the scene within minutes.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation will conduct a safety audit to determine when services on the route can be reopened. However, this will depend on the National Safety Investigation Bureau declaring the site open for reconstruction. Opeifa estimated that the reconstruction process would take no more than 30 days once the site is declared open.
The incident highlights the importance of safety in the rail industry, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s response will be closely watched. As the investigation continues, the corporation’s commitment to transparency and accountability will be crucial in rebuilding trust with the public. The incident also underscores the need for ongoing investment in rail infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.
