The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has revealed that poor maintenance practices and a defective track switch caused the recent Abuja–Kaduna train derailment at Asham Station.
Preliminary findings show that several sleepers damaged in a previous incident were merely patched instead of being properly repaired. Investigators also discovered that the automatic switch mechanism at the station’s crossing point was out of service during the incident — the second derailment at the same location in 13 months.
Because the switch was inoperable, staff had to operate it manually and secure it with a point clip, which later broke. This failure compromised the track alignment and ultimately caused the derailment.
The report further noted that Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) personnel had received only initial training, with no subsequent refresher courses, raising serious concerns about safety standards and operational readiness. In addition, essential maintenance tools and spare parts from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) were largely unavailable at the time.
The accident, which occurred on 26 August 2025, left 21 passengers injured but caused no fatalities among the 618 people on board.
In response, the NSIB issued several safety recommendations. These include replacing all compromised sleepers, installing OEM-standard point switches along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, and restoring all defective monitoring systems. The bureau also stressed the importance of regular refresher training for NRC staff to reduce the risk of future accidents.
Although the findings remain preliminary, the NSIB advised the NRC to restore all defective communication systems, CCTV cameras, clocks, and other vital instruments to OEM standards to ensure effective monitoring, safety, and operational efficiency.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the bureau will conduct a detailed inspection of the turnout and switch mechanism at Asham Station, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the track alignment and infrastructure condition.
Investigators will also examine the locomotives and derailed coaches, focusing on brakes, wheels, and bogies. Statements from the train crew — including the driver, assistant driver, conductors, and guards — will be reviewed alongside operational data such as speed logs, signal records, and communication transcripts. Passenger and eyewitness accounts will also be analysed to complement the technical findings.
The broken point clip, believed to have played a crucial role in the incident, will undergo further analysis. A final report is expected to deliver more detailed conclusions and additional safety recommendations.