Abuja–Kaduna Rail Disruptions Temporary, Not Due to Neglect—NRC Assures Passengers

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has responded to concerns raised in an article by veteran journalist Muhammad Iskeel Abdullahi, published on Journalists for Development, regarding recent disruptions on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service.

In a statement, the corporation acknowledged the worries expressed by passengers and well-meaning Nigerians, noting that the Abuja–Kaduna corridor remains a key component of Nigeria’s railway modernisation project.

The NRC said it understands the impact any disruption has on commuters and regrets the inconvenience caused by the recent reduction in train trips following the derailment recorded on August 26.

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The corporation stressed that the current service limitations are not a result of neglect or complacency but are tied to two major incidents that disrupted operations.

The first was the March 2022 terrorist attack, which resulted in loss of lives and trauma among passengers and staff. Following the incident, the NRC said it reviewed its operating protocols, prioritised passenger safety, restricted late-night operations and strengthened security collaboration with the Armed Forces and the Police to prevent a repeat.

The second setback was the recent derailment that damaged several coaches, reducing the number of operational trains. According to the NRC, repairs and refurbishment of affected rolling stock are ongoing, alongside efforts to deploy additional coaches to restore normal service levels.

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Describing the situation as a recovery phase rather than a decline in dedication, the corporation said the Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, continues to provide support toward improving railway infrastructure nationwide. It added that the Minister of Transport remains actively involved in efforts to expedite the restoration of full operations.

The NRC also highlighted ongoing interventions, including the repair and certification of damaged coaches, consideration of alternative rolling stock to reinforce operations, enhanced security measures and a firm commitment to resuming multiple daily trips soon.

The corporation appealed for patience from passengers, assuring that improvements will become evident in the coming weeks as restoration efforts progress.

It reiterated that the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service remains a national asset and expressed appreciation for the feedback received from passengers, including Mr Iskeel, adding that such contributions help strengthen its resolve to provide safe and reliable services.