NRC Rebuilding Public Confidence as Abuja–Kaduna Train Disruptions Trigger Renewed Safety Concerns
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has moved to calm growing public unease over repeated disruptions on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, insisting that recent service cuts represent a temporary setback rather than evidence of institutional neglect.
In a statement issued Tuesday by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the Corporation acknowledged the intensity of public concern but said the anxieties expressed by commuters reflect the central role the route plays in the country’s modern rail revival.
The Abuja–Kaduna line, a flagship component of Nigeria’s push toward safer intercity travel, has faced recurring interruptions that have drawn scrutiny from commuters, transport analysts, and security experts.
While conceding the inconvenience caused by the scaled-down operations, NRC stressed that the latest disruptions stem from two major incidents that have affected available rolling stock and operational decisions.
Unyimadu recalled that the March 2022 terrorist attack on the line remained a decisive factor in shaping current safety protocols.
That attack, which resulted in fatalities and prompted a nationwide security reckoning, forced the Corporation to redesign its operating procedures, restrict late-evening services, and deepen coordination with security agencies.
Beyond security considerations, the NRC highlighted more recent operational setbacks, including the August 26, 2025 derailment at Asham Station that damaged several coaches and key track components.
The incident, occurring just over a year after a similar derailment at the same location, renewed public questions about maintenance standards and the overall integrity of the nation’s rail infrastructure.
“We acknowledge the discomfort experienced by our numerous commuters who have had to bear the reduction in services caused by the August 26 incident,” the statement read.
Repairs on the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) coaches affected in the derailment are ongoing, alongside refurbishment of other rolling stock to restore normal frequency.
According to the NRC, the combined impact of the 2022 attack and the 2025 derailment has limited the number of serviceable coaches available for daily trips.
However, the Corporation emphasized that it is in a phase of “recovery, restoration, and rebuilding,” describing the setbacks as challenges rather than signs of declining commitment.
The Federal Government’s involvement was also underscored, with the Corporation citing the support of the Ministry of Transportation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Additional coaches and alternative rolling stock are being reviewed for temporary deployment where technically feasible, while security reinforcement along the corridor remains a priority.
The Abuja–Kaduna corridor has long been a symbol of the aspirations and vulnerabilities of Nigeria’s rail modernisation effort. Between 2020 and 2022, the country recorded 183 derailments nationwide, according to official data, underscoring systemic maintenance gaps across the rail network.
The Asham derailment, coming after earlier warnings about infrastructure stress, has revived calls for stricter monitoring, accountability, and investment in preventive maintenance.
Despite these challenges, the NRC maintains that full restoration of multiple daily trips is its “foremost operational target.” It appealed for public patience as technical teams work to certify repaired coaches, strengthen track safety, and normalise operations.
“We are confident that passengers will witness progressive improvement and, ultimately, the complete normalisation of services,” the statement concluded.
For many commuters, however, the Corporation’s reassurances will be measured against the pace of visible improvements on a route that has become both a vital lifeline and a barometer of Nigeria’s ability to sustain safe, reliable public transport infrastructure.
