17.3.2026
Nigeria Railway Corporation managing director Kayode Opeifa Tuesday explained what led to the incident that got 26 people injured during a train service from Kaduna to Abuja on Monday.
The train schedule was disrupted when a locomotive detached and slammed into the coaches as the train travelled on a sloppy terrain near Asham in Kaduna State.
Speaking during a an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Dr. Opeifa said: “At about 9:16 am, probably, there was a detachment of the attached engine, and it hit the power car, the one supplying electricity to the train, and that hit the lands coach SP-006 that was attached to it. That caused a shutdown.”
He said the NRC engineers quickly move in to remedy the situation and evacuate the injured to the hospital.
“In 30 minutes the accidented train engine was removed, that is the locomotive, and passengers were moved into the other five coaches at Kubwa, which was the next stop.
“The seriously injured or those who needed immediate medical attention were disembarked and taken to a hospital in Kubwa, while the rest of the passengers and some others injured were taken to Idu,” He added.
Meanwhile some passengers on the train narrated their experiences.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, described the moment of impact as sudden and chaotic.
“We felt a heavy jolt from the rear, and people started screaming. It was confusing because many of us initially thought it was a collision with another train,” told NAN in an interview
Musa urged the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to prioritise routine technical inspections, particularly during locomotive coupling.
“They should double-check all connections before moving. Something like this can be avoided if proper attention is given,” he added.
Another passenger, Mrs Grace Daniel, said the incident caused panic among travellers, especially those in the rear coach, where most of the injuries occurred.
“Some passengers fell on each other during the impact. It was scary, especially for children and elderly people on board,” she said.
Daniel appealed to the NRC to improve communication with passengers during emergencies and ensure that safety briefings are provided before departure.
“We need to be informed about safety procedures. It will help people stay calm if anything goes wrong,” she said.