NRC cancels first Abuja-Kaduna Thursday train after Wednesday derailment

NRC cancels first Abuja-Kaduna Thursday train after Wednesday derailment 

…says vandals responsible

Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has cancelled its first Abuja-Kaduna Thursday train (today) scheduled to move by 8am after it experienced a derailment on the route on Wednesday.

It announced this on Wednesday evening in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of the Public Relations Department, Yakub Mahmood, while giving an update on the derailment.

The Abuja-Kaduna train AK3 had reportedly derailed at the Asham Railway Station about 30 minutes after leaving Kubwa, Abuja.

Mahmood said, “For operational reasons, the first train from Kaduna (Rigasa) scheduled for 08.00 hours will be cancelled on Thursday 6th June, 2024 only, while all other train services will run as scheduled.

“NRC management deeply regrets the inconveniences that this technical hitch might have caused our esteemed passengers.”

The derailment on Wednesday, according to Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Bimbo Olawumi, occurred at 3:52pm, shortly after the passenger train departed the Kubwa station, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Mahmood in his statement said, “The passengers on board were safely returned to Abuja (Idu).”

He added that the tickets of passengers who could not use the train would remain valid for a subsequent journey within two weeks.

The NRC spokesman said, “This minor hitch is attributed to the removal of track fastening clips by vandals.

“However, the NRC management remains resolute towards ensuring the safety of our valued passengers in the entire system.”