Train Derailment: NRC Establishes Incident Desk To Aid Affected Passengers
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said it has setup an incident desk to handle inquiries and provide regular updates to affected passengers on the derailed Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).
NRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement he signed and posted on the corporation’s X handle.
He said the regular update would be achieved through dedicated phone lines: Queen 0703 645 2228, Lilian 0703 199 3211, and Abubakar – 0803 659 3212.
Opeifa said the Corporation has contacted 510 out of the 583 passengers listed on the train manifest.
The NRC boss while updating Nigerians on the progress made seven days after the train incident said,”As of yesterday, 2nd September 2025, seven days after the incident, NRC engineers have successfully recovered a locomotive and four coaches {out of two locomotives and eight DMU coaches), which have been railed to Idu Station for assessment using the newly constructed 100meter track off the damaged line. Site preparation has commenced for the deployment of heavy equipment to recover the remaining four coaches and an additional locomotive.
“A total of 618 persons were onboard the ill-fated train, comprising 583 passengers, 15 NRC crew members, 1 medical personnel, 8 cleaners, and 11 catering staff. All individuals were safely evacuated.
“Unfortunately, while 7 were reported as critically injured, passenger tracing conducted by the NRC medical team established that 20 persons sustained various degrees of injury, out of which 9 were reported critical. The Corporation takes full responsibility for the incident and is actively supporting those affected.
“To aid affected passengers, the NRC set up an Incident Desk to handle enquiries and provide regular updates through dedicated phone lines: Queen – 0703 645 2228, Lilian – 0703 199 3211, and Abubakar – 0803 659 3212. So far, the Corporation has been able to reach 510 out of the 583 passengers listed on the train manifest,” he said
Opeifa appreciated the security agencies deployed to the accident site for their vital role in ensuring a smooth, safe, and disruption-free recovery process.
He also acknowledged the media as a critical partner and extended sincere gratitude for their continued support during this challenging period.
Furthermore, the Management appreciates the visit of the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, who inspected the site and commended the recovery efforts of the NRC team.
NRC has reassured its passengers and the general public that every necessary measure has been taken to restore full train operations in the shortest possible time, adding that Passenger safety and service reliability remain the Corporation’s topmost priorities.
