NRC Releases Interim Report On Asham Station Train Incident On Kaduna–Abuja Route

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has issued an interim report on the train incident involving the Kaduna–Abuja service (KA-2) that occurred on March 16, 2026, near Asham Station.

According to the report signed by the Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, the KA-2 service departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m. as scheduled and arrived at Jere Station one minute ahead of time at 8:52 a.m.

The train, however, departed Jere at 8:59 a.m., six minutes behind schedule, due to the coupling of locomotive 2809 to enhance operational resilience.

The incident occurred at about 9:16 a.m. between kilometre points 50 and 51, as the train approached Asham Station. A loud bang was reported when the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches.

Preliminary findings indicate a possible fault with one or more couplers, although investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause. The NRC confirmed that no derailment occurred.

Following the incident, affected components — locomotive 2809, power car BVA0002, and passenger coach SP0006 — were detached from the train.

The service resumed movement at 9:42 a.m., arriving Kubwa Station at 10:10 a.m. and terminating at Idu Station, Abuja, at 10:39 a.m., recording a total delay of 38 minutes.

The train had 481 occupants on board, including 429 passengers out of 459 booked, 10 crew members, 26 security personnel, six vendors, eight cleaners, and two third-party operators.

The NRC reported that 26 individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries, including passengers, medical personnel, cleaners, and security staff attached to the service.

Despite the disruption, the corporation restored operations later in the day. The return service, AK1, departed Idu for Rigasa at 2:48 p.m., significantly behind its scheduled 11:00 a.m. departure, and arrived Kaduna at 5:33 p.m. The Managing Director and other NRC officials were on board.

Subsequently, the KA-4 service departed Rigasa at 6:12 p.m., arriving Kubwa at 8:31 p.m. and Idu Station at 8:58 p.m., with the Managing Director still on board.

The NRC stated that investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing and assured the public of its commitment to safety across the rail network.