Abuja–Kaduna Train Derailment Blamed on Poor Maintenance and Faulty Tracks — NSIB Report

Nigeria’s Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has blamed poor maintenance and defective infrastructure for the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment that injured 21 passengers on 26 August 2025.

The preliminary report released on Wednesday revealed that the accident at Asham Station was triggered by faulty switch points and lapses in safety management by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

Investigators disclosed that the derailment happened shortly after the train passed a manually operated switch that had previously been declared unserviceable. Further inspections showed that parts of the track, damaged in an earlier derailment 13 months ago, were only patched rather than fully replaced. At the time of the incident, the point clip meant to secure the switch was broken.

The bureau also raised concerns about operational weaknesses. While the train drivers were qualified, they had only received initial training without formal refresher courses. Essential safety equipment — including CCTV cameras, clocks, and communication devices — were defective, while maintenance tools and spare parts from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) were largely unavailable.

The NSIB stressed that its findings remain preliminary, with a final report expected to provide deeper conclusions and stronger safety measures.

Safety Recommendations

The bureau has urged the NRC to:

• Replace all compromised sleepers along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor.
• Install OEM-standard point switches.
• Restore defective monitoring equipment.
• Conduct regular refresher training for staff to improve safety standards.

Despite the derailment, all 618 passengers survived the crash. Twenty-one sustained varying degrees of injury.

The Abuja–Kaduna line, once seen as a symbol of Nigeria’s rail revival, has faced a series of safety and security concerns in recent years.