The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has outlined strict safety and operational conditions that must be met before passenger services on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor can resume, following Tuesday’s train derailment that left hundreds stranded.
Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, speaking during a live television interview on Wednesday, said the site of the derailment must first be declared open for reconstruction by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) before the corporation can carry out a full safety audit.
“The first thing that will happen is that the NSIB will determine when the site is open for reconstruction.
From the time they give us the clearance, we do not see ourselves spending more than 30 days. So, it depends on when they declare the site open,” Opeifa said.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, shortly after the train departed Abuja for Kaduna. Passengers on board described the situation as chaotic, with commuters scrambling for safety before emergency responders arrived.
In the immediate aftermath of the derailment, the NRC suspended all passenger services on the Abuja-Kaduna line until further notice.
Opeifa, who has been in office since early 2025, publicly accepted responsibility for the incident, stressing that passenger safety remains the corporation’s top priority.
“Beyond apologising to Nigerians, I want to state clearly that as Managing Director and Chief Executive, I take full responsibility.
When it comes to safety, there is no room for indifference. Once something like this happens, the chief executive must own it — and I do,” he said.
Opeifa confirmed that no fatalities were recorded, a development he described as a “near-miss” given the scale of the derailment.
However, he disclosed that at least four passengers sustained serious injuries, while two others were treated and discharged.
According to him, the NRC will continue to track the medical and psychological well-being of all 618 passengers aboard the ill-fated train.
The NRC boss emphasized that a comprehensive investigation is underway involving the NSIB, NRC technical staff, and other relevant agencies.
While speculation of sabotage has surfaced, Opeifa cautioned against premature conclusions.
“It would be premature to speak on sabotage. That will undermine the authority carrying out the investigation.
But I want to assure Nigerians that our tracks are monitored daily by both the military and security agencies,” he said.
Military helicopters and personnel were reportedly dispatched to the derailment site within minutes, a development that helped calm initial fears of a terror attack — a concern heightened by the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack, which left dozens dead and several passengers kidnapped.
This latest incident has once again thrown a spotlight on the safety and resilience of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure. In January 2023, another Abuja-Kaduna train derailed in Kubwa, Abuja, though no casualties were reported.
The Warri–Itakpe line was also temporarily shut down earlier this year for critical repairs after track faults were detected.
Transportation experts have consistently warned that Nigeria’s railway system requires increased investment in track maintenance, modern signalling systems, and advanced safety technology to meet international standards.
Opeifa himself admitted that the derailment “should not have happened,” but pledged that lessons learned from the investigation would shape reforms and prevent a recurrence.
In a move to reassure commuters, the NRC has initiated full refunds for all passengers affected by the derailment. The corporation also promised to provide regular updates on the investigation and restoration process.
“Passenger trust is vital. We are ensuring everyone on board is refunded while also addressing the safety gaps exposed by this incident,” Opeifa said.
While the NRC estimates a 30-day timeline for restoring services, the actual resumption date hinges on when the NSIB clears the site for reconstruction.
Until then, thousands of passengers who depend on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line — a safer alternative to the high-risk Kaduna–Abuja highway — will be forced to rely on road or air travel.
With rail increasingly seen as a critical artery for Nigeria’s economic and security landscape, stakeholders say the derailment offers yet another opportunity to rethink investment priorities in transport infrastructure, passenger safety, and modernisation of the country’s railway system.