NSIB Blames Poor Maintenance, Faulty Track Switch For Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said that its investigation into the recent Abuja-Kaduna train derailment at Asham Station has revealed that poor maintenance and a faulty track switch were key factors behind the incident.
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.
“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,” the NSIB stated.
The agency confirmed that initial findings and recommendations have been published in its preliminary report, which is now available for download on the NSIB 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.
On August 26, 2025, a train operating on the Abuja-Kaduna service registered as AK1 with eight coaches and two locomotives had derailed at Asham station.
In its preliminary findings, in-house investigation, and statements to the public, the NRC had attributed the derailment primarily to human error, specifically “excessive speeding” and “misapplication of the emergency braking system.”
