NRC Refutes Claims Of Stranded Passengers, Explains Abuja–Kaduna Train Delay
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has denied reports that passengers were left stranded on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) on Thursday, attributing the disruption to a precautionary safety decision following a technical issue with the backup engine.
NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Abuja.
He apologized to all affected passengers, dismissing the misleading media reports suggesting that the train was abandoned mid-journey.
According to Opeifa, the delay occurred after the backup engine began to lose power less than 30 minutes into the trip, prompting the train’s operators to return to the Rigasa Station in Kaduna.
He said the decision was taken in line with the corporation’s strict safety standards and in consideration of security concerns along the corridor.
“Though the train could have pushed through, it was safer to pull back to Rigasa due to the time of day and security considerations,” he explained.
The train eventually departed at 4:00 p.m.—one hour behind schedule—and arrived at Idu Station, Abuja, at 6:52 p.m., about 80 minutes later than expected. NRC said passengers were consistently updated through the Public Address System both onboard and at the station.
Opeifa likened the event to aviation procedures where an aircraft diverts to the nearest airport if an engine develops a fault.
He noted that a morning trip may have continued to the nearest stations—Jere, Rijana, or Gidan—but the evening timing made returning to Kaduna the safer option.
While expressing regret over the inconvenience, the NRC boss urged media houses to verify their reports before publication to avoid misleading the public.
He reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to maintaining high safety and reliability standards across all rail corridors, adding that passenger safety remains the corporation’s top priority.
