Abuja-Kaduna train accident: NRC offers injured passengers free ride per week till December 31

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that passengers injured in the Abuja-Kaduna train accident of August 26 will enjoy one free ride per week until December 31, 2025.

In a statement on Sunday, Callistus Unyimadu, chief public relations officer of NRC, said the passenger train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor will resume on October 1.

According to the statement, commercial operations will recommence following the successful completion of safety, technical, and operational checks, stressing the corporation’s commitment to smooth, reliable, and secure services.

“In line with our priority on passenger welfare after the August 26, 2025 incident, NRC wishes to state that out of the 583 passengers on board, 530 passengers were contacted by phone, out of which 512 have successfully received refunds,” Unyimadu said.

“All 22 injured passengers have been contacted, many visited by our medical team, and will enjoy one free ride per week until December 31, 2025.

“All 618 people on board during the August 26, 2025 accident will be entitled to one free ride before December 31, 2025.

“Time table for Abuja-Kaduna train service; Abuja – Kaduna; IDU: 8:45, Kubwa: 9:05, Rigassa: 12:42 (Arrive); Kaduna – Abuja Rigassa: 14:30, Kubwa: 18:02, IDU: 18:23 (Arrive).”

Unyimadu said the Abuja-Kaduna train service will undergo maintenance every Wednesday.

He expressed appreciation for the patience and understanding of all passengers during the service suspension, while reaffirming its commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable, and customer-friendly train services across the country.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to deliver safe, affordable, and efficient rail transportation that supports national connectivity and economic growth,” the statement added.

On August 26, the train, which was travelling from Abuja to Kaduna, veered off the track as several coaches tumbled.

NRC said its investigation revealed that the derailment of the Abuja–Kaduna train was due to human error and overspeeding.

Kayode Opeifa, NRC managing director, had said the engineers had successfully re-railed and recovered all coaches and locomotives involved in the derailment. (The Cable)