DERAILMENT: NRC Suspends Train Services on Abuja/Kaduna Route, as NSIB Confirms Six Passengers Injured
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended train operations on the Abuja -Kaduna route over the accident that happened earlier on Tuesday.
A Kaduna-bound train had derailed on Tuesday morning leaving six passengers injured while many others were stranded for several hours before rescue came their way.
Announcing the suspension of services in a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday the Managing Director of the NRC, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said that the that services on the route will remain suspended until investigations are concluded and safety of crew and passengers assured on the by the cooperation.
The NRC boss confirmed that technical teams from the NRC, officials of the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and other relevant agencies were already at the scene of the accident to determine the cause of the derailment and ensure preventive measures are put in place to forestall future occurrence.
Earlier, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had confirmed that six passengers were injured while no casualty was recorded. The bureau confirmed that the accident happened at approximately 11:09 am after a Kaduna-bound train derailed at KM 49 between Kubwa Station and Asham Station which prompted the deployment of a go-team to the site to gather evidence, engage stakeholders, and begin an investigation into the accident.
According to a statement issued by the bureau and signed by its Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, “Current information available indicates that six persons sustained injuries, and no recorded fatalities. A go-team has been deployed to the site to gather evidence, engage relevant stakeholders, and commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident
“The Bureau sympathises with those injured and extends its support to all passengers affected. The investigation will focus on identifying the direct and underlying factors that led to the derailment, with the aim of issuing safety recommendations to prevent a recurrence.”
Also, the Director General of NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh also expressed sadness over the incident.
Part of the DG’s statement reads, “We deeply sympathise with all who sustained injuries. The Bureau has deployed investigators to the site to ensure the root cause of this derailment is uncovered
“Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation.”
