Human Error, Speeding Behind Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment – NRC

Following internal investigations, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has attributed the recent Abuja–Kaduna train derailment, which left 20 passengers with various degrees of injuries, to human error, excessive speeding and the misapplication of the emergency braking system as primary causes.

On Monday, the Corporation’s Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, signed a statement confirming the successful completion of recovery and repair efforts following the August 26 derailment incident at Asham.

PUNCH Online reports how a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed on August 26, a Tuesday morning, leaving several carriages overturned and triggering panic among those on board.

It was gathered that the incident occurred along the popular corridor shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m., en route to Kaduna.

The incident caused passengers to flee for safety. While many described the scene as chaotic and frightening, some others initially thought it was a terrorist attack.

The NRC revealed that it has completed an internal investigation into the derailment, and management has accepted all recommendations from the in-house team.

“While awaiting findings from the committee set up by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, the Corporation reiterated its own findings, attributing the incident to operator error and excessive speed”, the statement partly read.

Opeifa further stated that all affected coaches and locomotives have been re-railed and moved to designated workshops for comprehensive evaluation and further technical work.

He said, “Our team of engineers has successfully repaired the main line to a level that allows us to resume operations safely. While train services will recommence, work on the secondary track will continue simultaneously. During this period, the second line will remain out of use until all necessary repairs are completed.

He also said that an official announcement regarding the resumption of train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor would be made soon.

While revealing the in-house findings, Opeifa said, “We have also completed an in-house investigation into the incident, with management accepting all recommendations of the internal investigation team.

“While awaiting the outcome of the committee set up by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, as well as the findings of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, we wish to state clearly that our investigation points to human error, excessive speeding, and misapplication of the emergency braking system.”

However, the NRC boss clarified that while train services would soon recommence, repairs on the secondary track will continue until fully completed.

He further disclosed that a comprehensive safety and infrastructure assessment was underway before the proper resumption of service in the corridor.