The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced an immediate and indefinite suspension of all train operations on the critical Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.
This decisive action comes in direct response to a derailment incident that occurred on Sunday, prompting serious safety concerns.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the suspension during a press briefing held in Abuja, emphasising that services will remain halted until a comprehensive investigation is completed and the absolute safety of the route can be guaranteed.
Opeifa stated that a multi-agency team comprising technical experts from the NRC and officials from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has been deployed to the accident site.
Their primary objective is to conduct a thorough examination to determine the precise cause of the derailment and to implement necessary preventive measures to avoid any future recurrence.
The NRC boss directly addressed and dismissed circulating speculations that the incident resulted from poor maintenance of the trains, asserting that the corporation has always maintained a strict adherence to established safety standards and protocols.
In terms of passenger welfare, Opeifa disclosed that six individuals sustained minor injuries and have all received appropriate medical attention. The exact total number of passengers on board at the time of the incident is still being verified.
As a gesture of goodwill and responsibility, the NRC has processed full refunds for all passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by the sudden suspension of services.
Concurrently, the NSIB has formally launched its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Abuja-Kaduna rail derailment as authorities collectively work towards the goal of restoring safe and efficient rail services for the public.
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cc: Daily Post NG
