President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sympathy with passengers aboard the Abuja–Kaduna train that derailed on Tuesday morning.
The train, which departed Abuja around 11 am heading to Kaduna, went off track shortly after leaving the Federal Capital Territory, causing distress among travelers.
In a message shared via his official X handle, Tinubu conveyed his sorrow over the incident and assured Nigerians that he was closely following updates. He stressed that measures would be put in place to guarantee the safety of rail operations moving forward.
“Even while in Brazil, I have received reports of today’s (Tuesday’s) Abuja–Kaduna train derailment. I am deeply saddened by this incident. My heartfelt prayers are with the injured, their families, and all passengers who went through this distressing experience.
“I am staying updated on the latest developments and await a full briefing to ensure swift action and support for all affected. The NRC is already addressing the situation, and necessary steps are expected to be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” President Tinubu said.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has taken full responsibility for the mishap. Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Opeifa apologized to Nigerians and maintained that the investigation into the derailment would be carried out transparently.
“Let me say, beyond apologising to Nigeria, I want to say as the managing director and chief executive, I take full responsibility. And in the case of safety, there is no indifference.
“Once it happens, the chief executive must take responsibility. In this case, I am taking responsibility,” he declared.
In response to the derailment, the NRC announced the suspension of operations on the Abuja–Kaduna line until further notice. Opeifa had earlier told journalists in Abuja that technical staff of the corporation were already working with officials from the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry at the site of the accident.
What you should know
The Abuja–Kaduna train derailment highlights ongoing concerns about Nigeria’s railway infrastructure. While no fatalities were reported, the incident renewed questions about passenger safety and operational efficiency.
President Tinubu has promised decisive measures, while NRC’s Managing Director Kayode Opeifa has accepted full responsibility, pledging that the probe will not be compromised.
