The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, has confirmed that 21 passengers sustained injuries when an Abuja–Kaduna passenger train derailed at Asham Station on August 26, 2025. No fatalities were recorded.
In a preliminary report released on Wednesday, the bureau disclosed that the incident involved a locomotive with registration number CDD5c2 2701 and eight coaches, which departed Idu Station, Abuja, at 9:45 a.m. with 618 passengers, including railway staff and security personnel.
“At approximately 11:09 hours, shortly after the train passed a manually operated switch point at Asham Station, the forward locomotive and adjoining coaches derailed and overturned. Twenty-one passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, while no lives were lost,” the NSIB stated.
The bureau added that its initial findings and safety recommendations have been made public but stressed that a more detailed final report will follow after deeper analysis.
“The preliminary report represents early findings and is subject to further investigation. The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance rail safety in Nigeria,” the agency explained.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation, in its own assessment, attributed the accident to human error, citing “excessive speeding” and “misapplication of the emergency braking system.”
NRC engineers have since re-railed and recovered all affected coaches and locomotives, moving them to designated workshops for further checks.
The corporation said it had restored the main line to enable operations to resume, though work is still ongoing on the secondary track.
“Our team of engineers has successfully repaired the main line to a level that allows us to safely resume operations. While train services will recommence, work on the secondary track will continue simultaneously. Safety remains our top priority,” the NRC assured.
It also noted that a comprehensive assessment of rail infrastructure on the corridor is ongoing to ensure maximum durability and reliability before full operations resume.
The NSIB urged Nigerians to remain patient as investigations continue. “Ongoing investigations will inform the final document with more comprehensive safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future,” it said.
