By Danjuma Amodu | March 17, 2026
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has denied reports of a derailment in the Abuja-Kaduna train incident, stating that the train remained on the tracks and safely reached its destination.
The incident, which occurred near Asham around 10:30 a.m. on March 16, 2026, was caused by a coupling issue, resulting in some passengers sustaining injuries.
The NRC explained that the incident was not a derailment, defining it as an event where “the wheels of the train leave the track, making it impossible for the train to continue its journey.”
In this case, the train stayed firmly on the rails, resumed movement after a brief delay, and proceeded to Idu Station in Abuja, where all passengers safely disembarked.
Emergency response protocols were activated immediately, and injured passengers received prompt medical attention at the scene and were transferred to nearby facilities for further care. The NRC confirmed that no fatalities occurred.
According to the NRC, the incident was caused by a suspected coupling failure, where the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches. Twenty-six passengers and onboard personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an investigation into the incident, examining technical, operational, and infrastructure-related issues.
The NSIB Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., expressed concern for the affected passengers and reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to uncovering the facts behind the occurrence.
The NRC described the event as “avoidable” and reiterated that passenger safety remains its top priority, with technical teams mobilized and further updates to follow.
