Lagos: The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reported substantial progress in recovery, repair, and safety works following the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment on August 26 at Asham. NRC's Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, highlighting steps taken to restore operations safely.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, engineers have successfully re-railed and recovered all coaches and locomotives involved in the derailment. The recovered assets were transferred to designated workshops for comprehensive assessment and technical repair. Dr. Opeifa confirmed that the main line had been repaired to a safe level for operations, though work continues on the secondary track, which will remain closed until all necessary repairs are completed.
The managing director explained that engineers have commenced a full safety and infrastructure assessment of the corridor to guarantee durability, reliability, and safety. This includes a thorough evaluation of the repaired section and other critical infrastructure along the route. Operations will only resume after inspections, technical tests, and certifications have been successfully concluded, as safety remains the top priority.
Dr. Opeifa also addressed passenger welfare, confirming that out of the 618 passengers on board during the derailment, 22 sustained injuries and are at different stages of recovery. He stated that 512 passengers had been contacted, while 71 remain unreachable due to non-responsiveness, wrong contacts, or unavailability.
The corporation's internal investigation into the incident has been concluded, with management accepting the recommendations. The investigation pointed to human error, including excessive speeding and misapplication of the emergency braking system. The NRC awaits reports from the Ministerial Committee and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau before making final decisions.
Dr. Opeifa assured passengers that an official announcement on the resumption of services would be made shortly. He expressed appreciation to passengers for their patience and understanding throughout the recovery period, and thanked media houses for timely updates, as well as security agencies for supporting recovery operations and safeguarding lives and property.