Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that 21 passengers sustained injuries but no lives were lost in the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment that occurred on August 26, 2025.
According to its preliminary findings published on Wednesday, the NSIB said, “At approximately 11:09 h, shortly after passing a manually operated switch point at Asham Station, the forward locomotive and adjoining coaches derailed and overturned. Twenty-one passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, while no fatalities were recorded.”
NSIB added that the report is available for download on its website.
“Initial findings and recommendations are contained in the preliminary report, which is available for download on the NSIB website. The report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis. The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance rail safety in Nigeria,” the Bureau said.
The NSIB emphasised that while the preliminary report provides an overview of the incident, ongoing investigations will inform the final document with more comprehensive safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
The train, a locomotive with registration CDD5c2 2701, had departed Idu Station in Abuja at 9:45 am en route to Rigasa, Kaduna, carrying 618 people, including Nigerian Railway Corporation crew, security personnel, and service staff but derailed at Asham station.
