… recommends refresher training for staff, installation of OEM-standard point switches
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its preliminary findings on the derailment of train number AK1, operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) revealing that the derailment was caused by the manual operation of an unserviceable switch by a personnel of the agency.
The accident which occurred on August 26, 2025, at Asham Station, Kaduna State had 618 persons on board the train. It departed Idu Station, Abuja, at 9:45 a.m. en route to Rigasa Station, Kaduna, but derailed shortly after passing a manually operated switch point at Asham Station, resulting in 21 injuries and no fatalities.
According to the NSIB, initial findings indicated that the derailment was caused by a faulty track switch and inadequate maintenance. The investigation revealed that NRC personnel used a manually operated switch that had been previously declared unserviceable, marking the second derailment at the same location within 13 months.
Damaged sleepers from the previous incident were only patched, not replaced, and NRC staff lacked refresher training, while critical monitoring equipment was defective.
The NSIB has issued safety recommendations to the NRC, including:
-Replacing Damaged Sleepers: replacing all damaged sleepers to ensure track stability and prevent further derailments
-Upgrading Point Switches: installing Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)-standard point switches along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor to ensure reliability and safety in switch operations
– Staff Training: providing formal refresher training for NRC personnel to ensure staff remain up-to-date with safety procedures and operational best practices
– Infrastructure Upgrades: restoring all defective equipment, such as communication equipment, Closed-Circuit Television cameras, and clocks, to Original Equipment Manufacturer standards.