Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, taken full responsibility for the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment near Asham station, Kaduna state.
On Tuesday, the train, which was travelling from Abuja to Kaduna, veered off the track as several coaches tumbled.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) also confirmed that six people sustained injuries, but no fatality was recorded.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Wednesday, Opeifa described the incident as “serious,” noting that some coaches and the locomotive capsized.
“As managing director and chief executive, I take full responsibility. In the case of safety, there is no indifference. This was not just a derailment, it was a derailment with capsizing,” he said.
The MD explained that the crash occurred at a “point,” a rail junction where trains switch directions, adding that the section would be a key focus of investigation.
He confirmed that no fatalities were recorded, though four passengers sustained serious injuries.
Opeifa added that two of the passengers were discharged immediately, while a total of 618 passengers on board would be monitored for trauma.
“Emergency protocols were activated immediately after the accident, with security agencies, the Kaduna state government, and federal health services deploying personnel to the scene,” he said.
Opeifa said the NSIB has taken over the probe to determine the cause of the derailment, whether “human, track, electromechanical, or other factors”.
On concerns about sabotage, he declined to speculate, stressing that the Abuja–Kaduna corridor is under tight military and community surveillance.
“Our tracks are safe from vandals and terrorists. The military, air force, police, civil defence, vigilantes and community security are all involved in protecting that corridor. Within minutes of the incident, a helicopter was deployed,” he said.
The NRC boss acknowledged challenges with service quality, including coach conditions and faulty toilets, but said steps were being taken to raise standards and adopt aviation-style service protocols.
The MD added that the Abuja–Kaduna route will not reopen until NSIB concludes its investigation and gives clearance for reconstruction.
“From the time they tell us the site is ready, I don’t see us spending more than 30 days to fix it. But before reopening, we may also conduct a complete safety audit,” he said.
Opeifa also assured Nigerians that “an incident like this is not expected, is not prayed for, should not be happening, but where it does, it is to bring out the best in us”.
