The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali, has expressed grief over the Abuja – Kaduna train derailment which occured on 26th August, 2025 at Asham, Bwari Area Council, while proceeding from Abuja to Kaduna.
The Minister made this known on Monday while addressing Journalists after an on – the sport inspection of the accident scene
When asked what caused the accident., the Minister explained that investigation is ongoing by the Committee that was constituted to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the accident and make practical recommendations that will not only address the Abuja – Kaduna derailment, but will also restore public confidence on other rail corridors, visa vi the Nation’s rail way system. Therefore, he said, he was not in a position to preempt the investigation, as it is the outcome that will now reveal what actually happened.
Sen. Alkali disclosed that some portions of the rail tracks and coaches were destroyed in the cause of the accident.
According to him, staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have been working day and night to ensure that the clearing and repairing of the damaged tracks are done at the earliest possible time.
Speaking further, the Minister said the affected eight coaches would be moved out of site within forty eight hours, adding that the path of the track that was affected by the accident was about 150 meters.
“So it’s not something too long. We will be able to fix the sleepers, the pallets and the rail tracks so that we will be back in operation in the next 10 days”. Sen. Alkali declared.
The Minister while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his dedication and support in ensuring the safe operations of rail transportation system in the country, said, “I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support since the incident occurred in ensuring that we moved the locomotive and the coaches and fixed the rail line in order to restart operations”
In a similar vein, he commended security agencies and other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring the safety of passengers, workers, and train facilities at the site.
”From what I have seen, I also want to commend the Managing Director of the NRC and his team, because they are on the site day and night trying to restore normalcy after the incident,” he said.
Signed
Mrs. Janet McDickson
Director (Press & PR)
