By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has released its early report on the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment that occurred on August 26, 2025, at Asham Station in Kaduna State. The bureau confirmed that 21 passengers were injured, but thankfully, no fatalities were recorded.
The train, registered as CDD5c2 2701, had left Idu Station in Abuja at 9:45 a.m., carrying 618 passengers, including crew members, security personnel, and service staff, when the accident occurred.
According to NSIB, “At approximately 11:09 a.m., shortly after passing a manually operated switch point at Asham Station, the forward locomotive and adjoining coaches derailed and overturned.” The preliminary report contains early observations and safety recommendations and is now accessible on the NSIB website. A more comprehensive final report is expected to provide detailed conclusions and further recommendations to improve rail safety nationwide.
Earlier, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) suggested that the derailment may have been caused by human error, citing “excessive speed” and “misuse of the emergency braking system.” NRC engineers have since re-railed the affected coaches and locomotives and moved them to workshops for inspection. Repairs on the main line have been completed, allowing services to resume, while work continues on the secondary track.
The NRC assured passengers that full services will only restart once all safety procedures and infrastructure checks have been fully completed. The Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, one of the busiest in Nigeria, has experienced several disruptions in recent years, raising concerns about commuter safety.