NRC Gives Condition For Resumption Of Train Services On Abuja-Kaduna Railway
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, on Wednesday said he takes full responsibility for the derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train which occurred on Tuesday shortly after departure from Abuja.
Opeifa, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television, assured Nigerians that the investigation being carried out by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) would be thorough and transparent.
“Beyond apologising to Nigerians, I want to state clearly—as the 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.
The NRC boss confirmed that no life was lost in the accident, though four passengers sustained serious injuries, while two others had been treated and discharged.
He added that the corporation would follow up with all 618 passengers on board to address possible post-traumatic effects.
Following the incident, the NRC suspended train operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route until further notice.
Opeifa noted that while the derailment “should not have happened”, the corporation would take corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.
He cited the recent shutdown of the Warri-Itakpe rail line for safety works as evidence of NRC’s commitment to ensuring safer train operations.
On the possibility of sabotage, the NRC boss declined to comment, insisting that it would be premature and could undermine the investigation.
He, however, said the Abuja-Kaduna corridor remained secure, with the Nigerian Army and Air Force providing surveillance.
According to him, services on the corridor would only resume after NSIB declares the site open for reconstruction and the NRC conducts a safety audit.
He estimated that the reopening process would not take more than 30 days after clearance.
The Tuesday derailment sparked panic among passengers, with some scrambling for safety as the train skidded off track.
A similar derailment occurred in January 2023 at Kubwa in the Federal Capital Territory, though no casualty was recorded.
NRC Gives Condition For Resumption Of Train Services On Abuja-Kaduna Railway is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
