Passengers Injured as Train Incident Delays Abuja Rail Service

Several passengers sustained injuries after a train incident involving the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Monday, though no deaths were recorded.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. and was caused by a coupling problem.

According to him, the issue led to a rear locomotive making contact with the passenger coach immediately behind it.

Opeifa stated that emergency response teams acted swiftly after the incident, ensuring that the injured passengers received immediate medical attention before being taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

He confirmed that no fatalities were recorded.

The NRC boss added that emergency safety protocols were immediately activated, while technical teams were deployed to the scene to assess the situation.

He also revealed that officials from the Safety Investigation Bureau were present at the site to conduct a comprehensive investigation in line with established safety procedures.

Following the incident, the affected locomotive and coach were removed, allowing the train to continue its journey. The train eventually arrived at Idu Train Station at about 10:39 a.m., roughly 38 minutes behind schedule.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation reassured the public that passenger safety remains its highest priority and that necessary steps are being taken to prevent similar occurrences.

The corporation also promised to provide further updates as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation.

The development comes amid growing concerns over repeated rail incidents in Nigeria, particularly along the Abuja–Kaduna railway corridor.

In response to the increasing number of derailments, the Senate in November 2025 initiated a nationwide investigation into the challenges facing the country’s railway system.

Lawmakers resolved to set up an ad hoc committee, chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to conduct a comprehensive probe into the recurring derailments, the condition of railway infrastructure, and the quality of imported materials used in the sector.

The committee was also mandated to review loans obtained from China for railway projects and has been given six weeks to submit its findings to the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Senate directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation to urgently fix technical faults responsible for recent derailments and ensure the rail network operates safely and efficiently.