NRC releases interim report on Kaduna–Abuja train accident

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has released an interim report on Monday’s train incident along the Kaduna–Abuja rail corridor, attributing the accident to a suspected coupling failure.

The report, signed by the Managing Director of the corporation, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed that 26 passengers and onboard personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries during the incident.

According to the report, the Kaduna–Abuja service KA-2 departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m. and arrived Jere Station one minute ahead of schedule at 8:52 a.m.

It stated that the train later departed Jere at 8:59 a.m., about six minutes behind schedule, after locomotive 2809 was coupled to the rake to strengthen operational resilience.

The report said the incident occurred at about 9:16 a.m. while the train was approaching Asham Station between kilometre points 50 and 51 along the route.

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It explained that a loud bang was heard when the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches.

Preliminary findings, according to the NRC, suggest that the impact was caused by an issue with one or more couplers linking the locomotive and the coaches, leading to a possible decoupling.

The corporation, however, clarified that none of the train coaches derailed during the incident.

Following the development, the affected units; locomotive 2809, power car BVA0002 and passenger coach SP0006, were detached to enable the train continue its journey.

The report added that the train eventually departed the incident site at 9:42 a.m., arrived Kubwa at 10:10 a.m., and terminated its journey at Idu Station at 10:39 a.m., recording a total delay of 38 minutes.