NSIB Launches Probe As NRC Confirms Train Incident On Rigasa-Idu Corridor

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that an Abuja-bound passenger train experienced a technical incident on Monday along the Rigasa-Idu rail corridor after a coupling failure affected its rear locomotive and an adjacent passenger coach.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. near Asham.

According to him, the malfunction involved the train’s rear locomotive, which developed a coupling issue with the passenger coach next to it.

“The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation wishes to confirm that an avoidable train incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday near Asham, involving a rear locomotive and a passenger coach next to it due to a coupling issue,” Opeifa said.

He explained that some passengers sustained injuries during the incident but were promptly attended to and taken to a nearby medical facility for proper treatment.

Opeifa further stated that emergency response protocols were immediately activated, while technical teams were mobilised to the location to address the situation.

The NRC boss also confirmed that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had commenced investigations into the incident in line with established safety procedures.

Despite the disruption, the train eventually continued its journey and arrived at Idu Station in Abuja at about 10:39 a.m., approximately 38 minutes behind schedule after the affected rear locomotive and coach, identified as SP0006, were detached.

Opeifa assured passengers and the public that safety remains the corporation’s top priority, stressing that necessary measures were being taken to ensure the continued safe operation of rail services.

Meanwhile, the NSIB confirmed that it had launched a full-scale investigation into the occurrence, stating that the probe would examine technical, operational and infrastructure-related factors.

In a statement signed by the bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Funke Arowojobe, the agency said the incident occurred shortly after the train departed Jere Station on its way to Abuja.

According to the bureau, the train, identified as KA2, departed Rigasa Railway Station in Kaduna for its scheduled service to Idu Station in Abuja, operating within the 07:15 to 10:01 service window.

The train arrived at Jere Station at 08:52 a.m. and departed again at 08:59 a.m. before the incident occurred along the Jere-Asham section near Asham Station.

The bureau said the rear locomotive became detached while the train was moving along a downward gradient and subsequently rolled forward, striking the rear portion of the train.

At the time of the incident, the train comprised two locomotives positioned at the front and rear, one power car, two business-class coaches and six standard passenger coaches.

A total of 429 passengers were on board, alongside 46 crew members and 24 security personnel assigned to the service.
Although no lives were lost, some passengers sustained injuries and were given immediate first aid by NRC personnel and onboard security officials.

Following the incident, the train proceeded to Idu Station in Abuja where it arrived at about 10:39 a.m., and additional assistance was provided to affected passengers.

Commenting on the incident, the Director-General of the NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr., expressed concern for the affected passengers and reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to uncovering the cause of the occurrence.

He said investigators would carefully analyse all relevant evidence and operational data to determine what led to the incident and ensure lessons learned would contribute to safer railway operations across the country.