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The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released the preliminary report on the derailment involving train number AK 1, operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), with locomotive registration CDD5c2 2701.
The report stated that the NRC personnel had only initial training and no formal fresher training, and the operational and maintenance equipment, including spare OEM parts, were not readily accessible.
The NSIB also noted that the incident which took place at Km 49, Kubwa–Asham section, Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, on 26 August 2025, was the second derailment at Asham Station within 13 months.
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A statement on the report, signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, director, public affairs and family assistance, NSIB, stated that the passenger train departed Idu Station, Abuja, at 09:45h en route to Rigasa Station, Kaduna, on the northbound service, and made a scheduled stop at Kubwa at 10:04h, where it picked up more passengers and awaited the arrival of the southbound Kaduna-Abuja train.
At 10:04h, AK1 departed Kubwa station with 618 persons, including 15 NRC crew members, one medical personnel, eight cleaners, and 11 catering staff.
According to the train driver, before arrival at Asham Station, the shunter authorised passage through Line One, at which point the train’s speed was reduced to approximately 40 km/h. As the forward locomotive and two adjoining coaches moved past the switch point, abnormal vibrations were felt.
“The train driver then applied the brakes firmly, after which a loud noise was heard. At approximately 11:09 hours, the train derailed with the forward locomotive and two adjoining coaches overturned; the last coach and the rear locomotive remained on the track.
“The derailment caused significant damage to the track infrastructure, including rails, sleepers, and the switching mechanism. At approximately 11:09, shortly after passing a manually operated switch point at Asham Station, the forward locomotive and adjoining coaches derailed and overturned,” the report stated, noting that twenty-one passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, while no fatalities were recorded.
The NSIB issued an immediate safety recommendation, stating that the NRC should restore all defective equipment, such as communication equipment, Closed-Circuit Television cameras, clocks, and other critical instruments, to Original Equipment Manufacturer standards, as they are vital for effective monitoring, safety, and operational efficiency.
NSIB also recommended that the NRC ensure that all sleepers affected by derailments are replaced to guarantee track stability and prevent further derailments, consider replacing all point switches at Asham Station and along the Abuja–Kaduna route with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts to ensure reliability and safety in switch operations, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
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“They should consider addressing all areas where cautionary advisories are issued to train drivers, to enhance operational safety and minimize the risk of accidents, and provide formal refresher training for NRC personnel to ensure staff remain up to date with safety procedures and operational best practices,” it stated.
NSIB also stated that the report represents early findings and is subject to further analysis, noting that the final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance rail safety in Nigeria.
