The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has attributed the recent derailment of the Abuja–Kaduna passenger train to human error and over speeding.
Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the corporation’s internal investigation had been concluded and corrective measures were already underway.
The derailment occurred on August 26 when several coaches veered off the track, injuring passengers on board. According to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), six people sustained injuries, though no deaths were recorded.
Opeifa said 618 passengers were on the train at the time of the incident. While 22 passengers sustained varying degrees of injury, most are said to be recovering. He added that the NRC had successfully contacted 512 passengers, but 71 remain unreachable due to incorrect details or lack of response.
He explained that investigators found the train was traveling at excessive speed and that the operator misapplied the emergency braking system.
“Management has accepted all recommendations of the investigative team and corrective measures are being implemented immediately,” Opeifa said.
He emphasized that the NRC is prioritizing passenger safety and is committed to restoring public confidence in rail transport. Final decisions on the incident, he noted, would be made after the corporation receives reports from the ministerial committee and the NSIB.