Interim Report on Train Accident at Asham Station Kaduna – Abuja Service (Ka-2) of 16th March 2026

INTERIM REPORT ON TRAIN ACCIDENT AT ASHAM STATION

KADUNA – ABUJA SERVICE (KA-2) OF 16TH MARCH 2026

INCIDENT

Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation on Tuesday morning gave an update on the incident involving the Kaduna-Abuja train service of the corporation on Monday.

In an update on Tuesday morning, Opeifa dismissed reports that the train which had a total 481 passengers onboard was derailed.

He also said the incident, though disrupted schedule of the service, did not lead to suspension of operations. The NRC managing director said 26 people made up of passengers, medical crew, cleaners passengers and security personnel attached to the service were injured as a result of the incident.

According to Opeifa, the Kaduna-Abuja train service departed at about 07.15 a.m. from Rigassa station and arrived Jere a minute ahead of schedule at 08.52 a.m.

He noted that the train departed Jere at 08.59 which was six minutes behind scheduled departure time due to coupling of loco 2809 to the rake to create more resilience).

But he said at about 9.16 a.m. on approach to Asham station at kilometers 50-51, a loud bang was heard as the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the coaches.

Opeifa added that preliminary report suggests an issue with one or more couplers.

He, however, said none of the trains derailed while reason for the possible decoupling is yet to be ascertained.

“Two vehicles and the trailing locomotive involved in the incident were subsequently detached: Loco 2809, power car BVA0002 and passenger coach SP0006.

In spite of the incident, Opeifa added that the train left site at 09.42 a.m. and arrived in Kubwa at 10.10 a.m. and destination in Idu at 10.39 a.m.

“The train experienced a total of 38 minutes delay (time used to detach the accidented stocks from the full rake),” he said.

The NRC managing director added that a total of 481 people made up of 10 train crew including O&C and Mechanical/Electrical, 26 security personnel including Man O War, six food vendors, eight cleaners and two third party operators were aboard the train.

“A total of 26 people with varying degrees of injuries were recorded among the passengers, medical crew, cleaners passengers and security personnel attached to the service,” Opeifa said

He added that Abuja-Kaduna train service recovered and commenced the AK1 service from Idu to Rigasa at 2.48 p.m. against a booked time of 11.00 a.m. and arrived Rigasa, Kaduna by 17.33 pm with him and some officials of the NRC on board.

Opeifa added that the train service thereafter departed Rigasa with him still on board at 18.12 pm, arrived Kubwa at 20.31pm and Idu station, Abuja at 20.58pm.