…20 passengers injured, NRC apologizes to journalists, FG to link Abuja to Warri rail line
ABUJA—Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, has assured Nigerians that last week’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment was not caused by sabotage, stressing that rail travel remains safe across the country.
Speaking in Abuja alongside the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Alkali said preliminary findings show the derailment resulted from an operational accident, not foul play.
“We have fixed the point machine from Abuja to Kaduna and, since then, there has been no issue of derailment. Investigations into this incident are ongoing, and we don’t want to pre-empt the committee until its report is ready,” the minister explained.
He noted that four of the ten derailed coaches had already been removed with specialized cranes and confirmed that the government was working with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) on a new rail protection plan.
On vandalism of railway infrastructure, Alkali lamented persistent theft of critical assets despite frequent arrests and prosecutions. He called for stronger judicial support to serve as a deterrent.
The minister also disclosed that procurement processes were underway to link the Warri-Ajaokuta-Itakpe corridor to Abuja, adding that expansion of train services would depend on patronage and operational capacity.
Meanwhile, NRC boss Opeifa tendered an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the alleged harassment of Comrade Ladi Bala, former national chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), who was reportedly denied access at the derailment site.
“If any journalist felt excluded or mistreated, I take full responsibility and sincerely apologise. We remain committed to transparency and press access,” Opeifa stated.
Giving updates on the derailment, he said all 618 passengers onboard were evacuated safely, though 20 sustained minor injuries. Seven of them were hospitalized but have since been discharged, with all medical bills covered by NRC.
He commended the swift response of first responders, security agencies, and local communities, assuring that repair works were ongoing and normal train services would resume shortly.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria recorded 188 derailments between 2020 and 2025, making it the leading cause of rail accidents nationwide.
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