Atiku Demands Transparent Probe Into Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over Tuesday’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment, which left some passengers injured.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Thursday morning, Atiku expressed relief that no lives were lost but warned that the incident exposed critical lapses in Nigeria’s rail safety system.

“I am deeply concerned about the derailment of the Abuja-Kaduna train on Tuesday, which resulted in injuries to at least 14 passengers. It is a relief that there were no fatalities, but this incident underscores the urgent need for action,” Atiku stated.

He demanded an “immediate and thorough investigation” by the agencies involved. “I demand an immediate and thorough investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC),” he said, stressing that Nigerians deserved transparency and accountability.

“We need transparent updates and a commitment to strengthening safety protocols that will restore public confidence in our rail infrastructure system,” he added.

LEADERSHIP reports that the incident occurred on Tuesday when a northbound passenger train heading to Kaduna from Abuja derailed at Asham Railway Station. According to reports from the Nigerian Railway Corporation, several coaches went off the tracks, causing panic among passengers and leaving 14 people injured. Emergency responders and security operatives were quickly deployed to the scene, and the injured were taken to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Although no fatalities were recorded, the incident rekindled public fears over the safety of the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor, which has been plagued by security threats and technical faults in recent years, including the March 2022 terrorist attack that left passengers dead and many others abducted.