The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that several passengers sustained injuries following a train incident near Asham Train Station along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line on Monday morning.
According to the NRC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa, the incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. and was caused by a coupling issue. This resulted in a rear locomotive making contact with the passenger coach directly behind it.
Opeifa stated that emergency response protocols were swiftly activated, with injured passengers receiving immediate medical attention before being transported to nearby healthcare facilities. He confirmed that no fatalities were recorded.
Technical teams were promptly deployed to the scene to manage the situation, while the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau also arrived to conduct a comprehensive investigation in line with established safety procedures.
Despite the disruption, the train later resumed its journey and arrived at Idu Train Station at approximately 10:39 a.m., about 38 minutes behind schedule. This delay allowed for the safe removal of the affected locomotive and coach.
The NRC reassured the public that passenger safety remains its top priority and emphasized that necessary corrective measures are being taken to prevent future occurrences.
The incident adds to growing concerns over the reliability of Nigeria’s rail system, particularly along the busy Abuja-Kaduna corridor, which has witnessed several derailments in recent years.
In response to recurring rail failures, the Nigerian Senate in 2025 launched a nationwide probe into the condition of rail infrastructure. Lawmakers resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the root causes of frequent derailments, including the quality of imported materials used in railway construction.
The NRC has pledged to provide further updates as investigations progress.
