FINDINGS OF THE AUGUST 26TH ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN DERAILMENT – NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION

Abuja, Nigeria September 25, 2025

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has released the findings of its internal investigation into the train derailment that occurred along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor on August 26, 2025.
In an official press statement issued by the NRC’s Managing Director, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, the investigation revealed that the derailment was primarily caused by excessive speed and improper application of the emergency braking system — both attributed to human error.

According to the NRC, these operational lapses led to the derailment of the passenger train, which was carrying 618 passengers at the time of the incident. Twenty-one (21) passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, though no fatalities were reported.

Mr. Opeifa emphasized that the Corporation takes the findings seriously and is committed to implementing all the recommendations put forward by the investigative committee. He further stated that steps are already being taken to improve driver training, enhance monitoring systems, and upgrade safety protocols across all routes.

“This incident has underscored the urgent need for stricter adherence to safety standards and operational procedures. We are taking concrete actions to ensure such occurrences are not repeated,” the Managing Director said.
The NRC also reassured the public of its continued dedication to passenger safety and service reliability, particularly on the critical Abuja-Kaduna corridor — one of the country’s busiest and most strategic railway lines.