The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reported that the technical hitch experienced on the Abuja-Kaduna train route on Wednesday evening was due to vandals removing track fastening clips.
In a statement, Yakub Mahmood, Deputy Director of Public Relations, explained that the removal of the track fastening clips led to the derailment at Asham Railway Station in Kaduna State.
“This hitch is attributed to the removal of track fastening clips by vandals. However, NRC Management remains resolute towards ensuring the safety of our passengers in the entire system,” he said.
A train traveling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed at Asha station, leaving passengers stranded in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mahmood confirmed that all passengers were safely returned to Abuja, and their tickets remain valid for a subsequent journey within two weeks.
The NRC Management apologized for the inconvenience and assured passengers of its commitment to safety.
“For operational reasons, the first train from Kaduna (Rigasa) scheduled for 08:00 hours will be canceled on Thursday, June 6, 2024, while all other train services will run as scheduled.
“NRC Management regrets the inconvenience caused to our passengers,” he said.
The NRC condemned the vandalism and is working to prevent future incidents.
