The Nigerian Railway Corporation has determined that human error and overspeeding were the primary causes of the recent derailment of the Abuja–Kaduna train. According to the corporation’s Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, the incident occurred on August 26 when the train, carrying 618 passengers from Abuja to Kaduna, veered off the track, resulting in several coaches tumbling. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, although six people sustained injuries, as confirmed by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau.

The NRC has since conducted an internal investigation into the accident and has accepted the recommendations of the investigative team. The corporation is now awaiting reports from the ministerial committee and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau before making final decisions. Opeifa emphasized that safety remains the top priority for the corporation, which is committed to restoring public confidence in rail services.

The internal investigation revealed that the train was traveling at excessive speed, and the operator misapplied the emergency braking system, contributing to the derailment. The NRC has begun implementing corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The corporation has also reached out to 512 passengers who were on board during the incident, while efforts are being made to contact the remaining 71 passengers who are currently unreachable due to non-responsiveness, wrong contacts, or unavailability.

Of the 22 passengers who sustained injuries, they are at different stages of recovery. The NRC’s investigation and response to the incident underscore the importance of prioritizing safety in the rail industry. As the corporation moves forward, it will be crucial to implement measures that prevent overspeeding and ensure the proper application of emergency braking systems. The outcome of the ministerial committee’s and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau’s reports will be closely watched, as they will provide further insight into the incident and inform future safety protocols.