NSIB Launches Investigation into Abuja–Kaduna Train Derailment Where Six Passengers Were Injured
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a full-scale investigation into the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment that occurred on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, leaving six passengers injured and sparking renewed safety concerns over the nation’s rail transport system.
The incident happened at approximately 11:09 a.m. when a Kaduna-bound passenger train derailed at Kilometre 49, between Kubwa and Asham stations.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as passengers scrambled for safety when the coaches skidded off the track. Although no lives were lost, six passengers sustained varying degrees of injury.
In a swift response, NSIB dispatched a special investigation team to the accident site to collect evidence, assess the condition of the train, and interview witnesses.
The agency explained that its probe would not only determine the immediate cause of the derailment but also examine deeper systemic issues within the railway system.
In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, the bureau expressed sympathy to the injured passengers and their families.
She reassured the public that NSIB’s findings would be thorough, independent, and transparent, with recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
The Director-General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., also emphasized the bureau’s determination to ensure accountability. According to him, “Our priority is safety. This investigation is not about assigning blame but about uncovering the facts, identifying shortcomings, and making strong recommendations to enhance the safety of rail transport in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended services on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor pending the outcome of the investigation. The corporation confirmed the derailment and revealed that emergency and technical crews were immediately deployed to the site.
NRC’s Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, stated that affected passengers would be refunded and maintained that the trains were in proper working condition prior to the accident.
In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani ordered that the injured passengers be given immediate medical care and directed that psychological support should also be provided to those traumatized by the incident.
The governor urged citizens to remain calm, assuring them that both state and federal authorities were committed to restoring confidence in rail travel.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line remains one of Nigeria’s most vital transport corridors, linking the Federal Capital Territory to the North-West.
However, it has faced several challenges in recent years, from security threats to technical breakdowns, and now derailments.
This latest accident has once again reignited debate about the safety and reliability of the country’s railway system. Stakeholders say the NSIB’s investigation will be critical in uncovering whether the derailment was caused by technical faults, track defects, operational lapses, or human error.
The bureau has promised to release its findings publicly once the investigation is concluded. Until then, rail commuters will have to endure the temporary suspension of Abuja–Kaduna services, with hopes that stronger safety measures will emerge to protect passengers in the future.
