NRC clarifies Abuja–Kaduna train delay, says it’s for safety 

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has refuted reports that passengers were abandoned during Wednesday’s Abuja–Kaduna afternoon train service, explaining that a brief delay was the result of a precautionary safety measure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, in a statement apologized to passengers onboard the affected service, which had departed Kaduna before a backup engine began to lose power.

According to him, the train was still less than 30 minutes into the journey when the issue was detected, prompting an immediate decision to return to the Rigasa Station in Kaduna.

“Though the train could have continued, the decision to pull back was taken strictly on safety and security grounds. Given the nature of the route and the time of day, returning to Rigasa was the safest option,” Opeifa said.

He described media reports suggesting that passengers were left stranded as “misleading,” stressing that all passengers were kept fully informed through the train’s public address system and at the station.

The journey resumed by 4pm, roughly an hour after the return, and the train eventually arrived at Idu Station at 6:52pm., about 80 minutes behind schedule.

To explain the decision further, Opeifa drew an analogy with aviation protocol: “It is the same way an aircraft diverts to the nearest airport when there is an engine issue rather than proceed to its planned destination.”

He added that if the incident had occurred during a morning trip, the train could have continued and stopped at the nearest stations—Jere, Rijana, or Gidan—but such an approach was not advisable for an evening journey.

While apologizing again for the inconvenience, the NRC boss urged journalists to verify information before publication to avoid misinforming the public.

Opeifa reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to the highest standards of safety and reliability across all its rail corridors, noting that passenger safety remains the NRC’s top priority.

FG set to roll out nationwide railway connectivity plan — Opeifa

The Federal Government is set to unveil a comprehensive National Railway Development Road Map aimed at linking all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by rail, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, announced this on Wednesday at the 7th National Transport Conference of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA), held at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

According to Dr. Opeifa, the road map provides a framework for seamless rail connectivity and access across the country, following legislative amendments that placed railway development on the concurrent legislative list.

“We are saying where there is a national rail asset, states should make use of it. The line is available from Lagos to Kano. If your state is along this corridor, you can run services on the line. Lagos and Plateau are already doing this, and we are open to working with others,” he said.

He disclosed that Lagos and Plateau states are already leveraging this new policy, while other states such as Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano and Niger can also connect to existing national corridors to drive local economic development.

Opeifa further noted that the NRC had ramped up its freight-by-rail operations, transporting increased volumes of containerized cargo, gypsum, soda ash, cement, metal coils, and materials for the ongoing Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project.

Outlining the Corporation’s long-term vision, tagged “Vision 2-5-10-20”, he said the NRC plans to optimize national rail assets within two years; transition to electric traction by the fifth year; double the country’s rail capacity within ten years; and achieve not less than 60,000 kilometers of interconnected rail network nationwide within 20 years.

Opeifa affirmed that the new road map would “transform Nigeria’s transportation landscape, stimulate commerce, and open new frontiers of development across all regions.”

NRC restores derailed Warri-Itakpe Line, resumes service today, two suspects arrested

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the resumption of train services on the Warri–Itakpe corridor today (Wednesday), following the completion of repair works on the section of track affected by last weekend’s derailment near Agbor, Delta State.

The derailment, which occurred on Sunday, was traced to the vandalisation of fasteners and clips along the rail line.

Two suspects believed to be responsible for the act have been arrested.

These details are contained in a press statement released Tuesday evening and personally signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa.

The suspects — Mudansuru Mutari (27) and Blorie Kokori (39) — were reportedly apprehended around Kilometre 208 before Abraka, Delta State, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, by operatives of the NRC Police Command in collaboration with local security agents.

According to the Corporation, preliminary investigations and confessional statements confirmed their involvement in tampering with vital components of the rail infrastructure.

READ ALSO:

• Donald Trump’s plan to de-stabilise Nigeria, by Reuben Abati
• Trump’s accusations rebuffed: Soludo says Christians are killing Christians in South-East
• Alleged Christian killings: Nigeria’s military denies Trump’s claims

Opeifa commended the Railway Police Command and community security networks for their swift and coordinated response, assuring that the culprits would face the full weight of the law.

“Acts of vandalism against critical national infrastructure amount to economic sabotage and pose serious threats to public safety. The NRC maintains a zero-tolerance stance on such offences,” he said.

He added that the Corporation had completed the re-railment and full restoration of the affected portion of the track on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Following a comprehensive safety inspection and operational audit, normal train operations will resume today, Wednesday, November 5.

Opeifa reiterated the NRC’s commitment to the highest standards of safety and reliability, noting that surveillance would be intensified through advanced security technologies and stronger community engagement along all railway corridors.

The NRC also expressed appreciation to passengers and the general public for their patience and understanding during the temporary suspension of services.

NRC restores derailed Warri-Itakpe Line, resumes service today, two suspects arrested