Six wounded passengers, suspended services

…The investigation begins, the security audit ordered before reopening

The CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, assumed full responsibility for the derailment of the Abuja-Kaduna train on Tuesday, ensuring the Nigerians an in-depth investigation and improved security measures in the future.

The accident, which occurred shortly after the train started Abuja around 11 in the morning, threw the panic of the passengers while several coaches turned from the track along the Kaduna corridor.

Speaking on television channels the Morning Brief Wednesday, Opeifa said:

“In addition to apologizing to me with the Nigerians, I want to clearly declare – as a CEO and CEO – I take full responsibility for me. When it comes to welding, there is no room for indifference. Once something like this happens, the CEO must have it – and I do it.”

The NRC boss confirmed that six passengers reported injuries, four of whom are serious, while two others were treated and discharged immediately. He stressed that although no life was lost, the company would have provided medical and psychological support aboard all 618 passengers.

“This was a lack almost. For this type of derailment, the victims are common, but we thank that God has not been recorded,” he added.

Opeifa has ensured the Nigerians who were taken measures to prevent future accidents. He mentioned the recent arrest of the Warri -aitakpe line for the urgent replacement of the track as proof of NRC’s commitment for safety.

“This accident is not foreseen, not prayed and should not happen. But when it does, it must bring out the best in us. We assure that it does not come back,” he said.

On the fears of sabotage, he refused to speculate, saying he would be premature before the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) concludes his probe. However, he observed that the corridor is strongly fixed by the military, with helicopters and earth troops lined up.

The NRC suspended the railway operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route immediately after the accident. Opeifa explained that the line would remain closed until the NSIB declares the site open for reconstruction, after which a complete security audit would have been conducted.

“From the moment they declare the site ready for reconstruction, we don’t see you spend more than 30 days,” he said.

The derailment is the second on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor in recent years. In January 2023, another train of Abuja-Kaduna went off the road to Kubwa in the territory of the federal capital, although no victim was recorded.

In the meantime, President Bola Tinubu and the candidate for the presidency of the Labor Party, Peter Obi, both expressed sadness for Tuesday’s accident, urged the NRC to prioritize the safety of passengers and restore the trust of the public in rail transport.

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