NRC Apologizes For Abuja–Kaduna Train Delay

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has apologized to passengers affected by Wednesday’s disruption on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS), insisting that reports of stranded travellers were inaccurate.

The delay occurred after the afternoon train departed Rigasa, but it was forced to return barely 30 minutes into the journey when the backup engine began losing power.

In a statement on Thursday, NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa explained that the crew acted strictly out of caution, noting that safety remained the Corporation’s highest priority—especially along a route that has recorded security incidents in the past.

“Though the train could have continued, for security reasons along the route and considering it was less than 30 minutes into the journey, it was advisable to pull back to Rigasa, Kaduna,” Opeifa said.

He dismissed claims that passengers were abandoned, describing such reports as “misleading”. According to him, travellers were kept informed through the Public Address System both on board and at the station.

Train Resumed Journey After Technical Checks

After engineers inspected the locomotive, the service resumed at 4:00 pm, about an hour after the interruption, and finally arrived at Idu Station at 6:52 pm.
The arrival time put the train roughly 80 minutes behind schedule.

NRC Halts Abuja-Kaduna Train Services After Derailment

Opeifa noted that the decision to return to Kaduna was influenced by the timing of the trip.
He explained that an early-morning train might have continued its journey and shunted at the nearest stations, but an evening schedule required “a more cautious operational response”.

NRC Reassures Passengers on Service Reliability

The NRC MD reassured commuters that the Corporation remains committed to maintaining high standards of safety and reliability across all its services, whether narrow-gauge or standard-gauge.

He emphasised that while delays are inconvenient, the agency will not compromise passenger security for speed.

The Abuja–Kaduna corridor remains one of the busiest rail routes in the country, and the NRC says it is working to prevent similar disruptions and strengthen public confidence in its operations.