The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed that the derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train on Wednesday evening was due to vandalism.
According to NRC, vandals removed track fastening clips, leading to the incident at Asham Railway Station in Kaduna State.
In a statement signed by Yakub Mahmood, the Deputy Director of Public Relations for NRC, it was confirmed that the technical hitch resulted from the deliberate removal of essential track components. Mahmood assured the public that the NRC is committed to maintaining the safety of passengers across the rail network.
“This minor hitch is attributed to the removal of track fastening clips by vandals. However, the NRC Management remains resolute towards ensuring the safety of our valued passengers in the entire system,” Mahmood stated.
The derailment left many passengers stranded, but NRC ensured that all individuals on board were safely returned to Abuja. The passengers’ tickets remain valid for a subsequent journey within the next two weeks.
The NRC expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the incident. “For operational reasons, the first train from Kaduna (Rigasa) scheduled for 08.00 hours will be canceled on Thursday, June 6, 2024, only, while all other train services will run as scheduled.
NRC Management deeply regrets the inconveniences that this technical hitch might have caused our esteemed passengers,” Mahmood added.
The NRC management condemned the act of vandalism and stated that efforts are underway to prevent future occurrences. Ensuring the integrity of the railway infrastructure remains a top priority for the corporation.
The derailment at Asham Railway Station is a reminder of the challenges faced in maintaining and securing critical transport infrastructure.
NRC’s swift response in managing the situation and ensuring passenger safety underscores its commitment to operational reliability and public safety.
