The Federal Government has announced that the cause of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment of 26 August 2025 will be made public within 23 days, following an independent investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The passenger service, Abuja–Kaduna AK1, derailed at Asham Train Station at about 11:07 a.m.
The train, made up of eight coaches and two locomotives, had departed Idu Station, Abuja, at 9:45 a.m. and stopped briefly at Kubwa Station at 10:04 a.m. before continuing its journey.
According to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), five coaches derailed shortly after passing a track switching point at Asham, with the forward locomotive and two coaches overturning. The rear locomotive and the last coach remained on track.
There were 583 passengers and crew on board. While eyewitnesses initially claimed about 50 persons were injured, official records confirmed 12 sustained minor to moderate injuries.
All injured passengers were given first aid and transferred to hospital. No deaths were recorded.
Minister of Transport, Said Ahmed Alkali, praised the swift intervention of the NRC and security agencies. “The emergency teams acted promptly to secure the site and ensure the safety of passengers,” he said.
The derailment caused heavy damage to tracks, sleepers, and switching mechanisms, leading to a temporary suspension of services on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor.
The NSIB, acting under the Railways (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulation 2024, is leading an independent probe.
Its Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh, confirmed during a briefing in Abuja that investigators were examining the crash site, rolling stock, and operational records, while also interviewing passengers, crew, and witnesses.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation and will provide a comprehensive report within 23 days,” Badeh said.
He added that a draft final report would first be shared with stakeholders before the final report is published, alongside safety recommendations designed to prevent similar incidents in the future.