KEY POINTS
- Tinubu awaits full briefing on Abuja–Kaduna train derailment.
- NRC chief takes full responsibility for safety failure.
- Obi calls for stronger investment in rail infrastructure.
President Bola Tinubu expressed sympathy to passengers affected by Tuesday’s Abuja–Kaduna train derailment. He said he awaits a full briefing to ensure a swift government response.
The derailment occurred along the Kaduna corridor shortly after departure from Abuja around 11 a.m. The train was carrying 583 passengers and 15 crew members at the time of the incident.
“My heartfelt prayers are with the injured, their families, and all passengers,” Tinubu said in a statement. He added that the Nigerian Railway Corporation was already addressing the derailment and its aftermath.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau confirmed six injuries with no fatalities. Scenes onboard were described as chaotic, as passengers scrambled to safety before rescue efforts began.
In a statement shared from Brazil, Tinubu said he was deeply saddened by the derailment, describing it as “distressing.” He pledged that necessary steps would be taken to prevent future incidents.
“My heartfelt prayers are with the injured, their families, and all passengers who went through this distressing experience,” Tinubu said, adding that the NRC was already addressing the situation.
NRC boss takes responsibility for Abuja–Kaduna train derailment
According to Vanguard, Nigerian Railway Corporation Managing Director Kayode Opeifa publicly accepted responsibility for the derailment on Channels Television. He said safety failures cannot be ignored and investigations will not be swept aside.
Opeifa assured Nigerians that stronger measures are being taken to protect rail infrastructure. He noted the Warri-Itakpe line was shut down three weeks ago for safety upgrades.
Opeifa said similar preventive steps will be applied to the Abuja–Kaduna corridor. Meanwhile, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urged authorities to invest more in rail infrastructure and restore public trust.
He described rail transport as a critical driver of development and expressed solidarity with affected passengers.
