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See what caused Abuja-Kaduna train derailment

Published

4 months ago

September 25, 2025

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has revealed that poor infrastructure maintenance and operational lapses were the primary causes of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment that occurred on August 26, 2025.

The bureau’s preliminary report, released on Wednesday, slightly differs from the Nigeria Railway Corporation’s earlier explanation and sheds light on long-standing systemic failures.

The NSIB disclosed that 21 passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, not 20 as initially claimed by the NRC. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded. According to the report, the injured passengers received first aid before being evacuated to hospitals for further treatment.

The accident involved NRC’s train number AK1, powered by locomotive CDD5c2 2701, which derailed at the Asham section of the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor around 11 am that morning. The derailment caused carriages to overturn, sending passengers scrambling for safety. Eyewitnesses described the incident as chaotic, with some fearing it was a terrorist attack before realising it was an accident.

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, the NRC attributed the derailment to human error, excessive speeding, and misapplication of the emergency brake system.

However, the NSIB’s preliminary report paints a very different picture.

According to the bureau, the derailment was largely linked to neglected infrastructure, including a broken point clip and an unserviceable automatic switch mechanism at Asham Station. With the equipment inoperative, railway staff were forced to manually operate and lock the switch — a risky procedure that set the stage for disaster.

When the train passed over the defective section, the front coaches began to shake violently before derailing, damaging over 300 sleepers, destroying hundreds of track fasteners, and inflicting heavy damage on parts of the signalling system.

The NSIB noted that the faulty infrastructure had been flagged in an earlier derailment at the same location just 13 months prior. At that time, only superficial repairs were carried out on the damaged sleepers. “The occurrence was the second derailment at Asham Station within 13 months,” the report said. “Some sleepers damaged in the previous incident were only patched, rather than being properly replaced.”

Beyond infrastructure problems, the Bureau highlighted operational weaknesses within the NRC. Personnel had undergone only initial training, with no formal refresher courses to update their skills. Critical operational and maintenance tools such as OEM spare parts, CCTV cameras, clocks, and other communication devices were either unavailable or left in disrepair.

The bureau’s report stressed that the lack of adequate infrastructure and training meant that staff were ill-prepared to manage risks effectively. On the day of the derailment, the shunter cleared the train to proceed manually, despite the faulty switch. The result was a devastating derailment that shook public confidence in the nation’s rail system.

Though no lives were lost, the injuries sustained by 21 passengers highlighted the consequences of systemic neglect. “Official records confirmed 21 passengers sustained minor to major injuries, some passengers were evacuated without recourse to local health facilities,” the report noted.

The NSIB issued several immediate safety recommendations to prevent future derailments and improve the reliability of rail services in Nigeria. These include immediate replacement of all derailment-affected sleepers to ensure track stability, replacement of all point switches at Asham Station and across the Abuja-Kaduna route with reliable OEM parts.

Others include addressing all caution zones along the corridor to reduce the risk of further accidents, regular refresher training for NRC personnel to maintain high safety and operational standards, restoration of all defective monitoring and communication equipment to OEM standards, including CCTV systems, clocks, and signalling systems.

The Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at the NSIB, Bimbo Oladeji, explained that the preliminary 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,” he said.

Oladeji added that the NSIB is committed to conducting a thorough investigation that not only identifies immediate causes but also addresses the systemic issues threatening the safety of Nigeria’s growing rail transport sector.

The Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor has long been regarded as a strategic transport link, serving thousands of commuters daily. However, the derailment has once again raised concerns over the state of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure. For passengers, the incident has revived memories of past tragedies and heightened anxiety over the safety of train travel.

Industry experts believe that unless urgent reforms are implemented, the NRC risks further eroding public trust. Analysts note that the Abuja-Kaduna line, which has already suffered from terrorist attacks and vandalism in recent years, cannot afford additional safety failures.

The NSIB’s preliminary findings highlight a pressing need for systemic reforms in Nigeria’s rail operations. Infrastructure must be maintained to OEM standards, personnel must receive regular training, and critical safety equipment must be restored and upgraded.

While passengers can take some comfort that no lives were lost in the latest derailment, the incident underscores the high cost of neglect. If Nigeria is to expand its rail network and make it a reliable alternative for mass transit, the safety lapses that contributed to the August derailment must be urgently addressed.

The bureau’s final report, expected in the coming months, is anticipated to provide more comprehensive guidance for ensuring that rail travel in Nigeria meets international safety standards.

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PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

4 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea