By Eshioromeh Sebastian in Abuja
Former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has called for a thorough and transparent investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) into the derailment of a passenger train on the Abuja-Kaduna route.
The incident occurred on the evening of Tuesday, 26 August, and resulted in at least 14 passengers sustaining injuries, though fortunately no fatalities were reported.
The train, which had departed from the Idu Station in the nation’s capital, Abuja, was en route to the Rigasa Station in Kaduna when several carriages left the tracks near the Jere area of Kaduna State. The derailment caused significant disruption to the vital transport link and prompted a large-scale emergency response.
Officials from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and other security and rescue agencies swiftly attended the scene to evacuate passengers and provide immediate medical attention to those injured.
In a short statement released on his verified social media handles on Thursday, Atiku expressed his profound concern over the accident, describing it as a stark reminder of the urgent need to prioritise the safety and reliability of the country’s rail infrastructure. “It is a relief that there were no fatalities, but this incident underscores the urgent need for action”, he stated.
The former presidential candidate demanded that the NSIB and the NRC conduct an immediate and comprehensive probe to ascertain the precise cause of the derailment.
He emphasised that the public deserved transparent updates throughout the process and a firm commitment to strengthening all safety protocols. His call to action highlights a pressing desire to restore public confidence in a rail service that is a critical artery for travel and commerce between the two major cities.
The Abuja-Kaduna rail service has, in recent years, become a preferred mode of transport for many citizens, making its consistent safe operation a matter of national importance. The NRC has confirmed that an internal investigation is underway alongside that of the safety bureau, with services on the line temporarily adjusted pending initial findings.
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