Asham incident: Train operations restored within hours

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that the train incident recorded near Asham on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor on Monday, March 16, 2026, was not a derailment but a minor operational fault, with services fully restored shortly after. In a detailed account covering its official statement and preliminary technical findings, the corporation said no fatalities […]

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that the train incident recorded near Asham on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor on Monday, March 16, 2026, was not a derailment but a minor operational fault, with services fully restored shortly after.

In a detailed account covering its official statement and preliminary technical findings, the corporation said no fatalities were recorded, while affected passengers received prompt medical attention.

According to the NRC Technical Team, the KA-2 service departed the Rigasa Railway Station at 7:15 a.m. and maintained a smooth run, arriving in Jere ahead of schedule. However, at about 9:16 a.m., on approach to Asham (KM 50–51), a loud bang was heard following contact between a power car, a trailing locomotive and a passenger coach due to a coupling fault.

Preliminary findings, the corporation said, point to a defect in one or more couplers, which led to a temporary disconnection within the train formation.

It stressed, however, that all coaches remained firmly on track and the train was able to continue its journey after safety checks.

The NRC dismissed reports suggesting a derailment, explaining that such a scenario would involve the train wheels leaving the track, making further movement impossible.

“In this case, the train remained on track and proceeded safely to Idu Railway Station, where passengers disembarked without incident,” the corporation stated.

A total of 481 persons were onboard, including 429 passengers, alongside crew members, security personnel and other support staff.

The corporation said 26 persons sustained varying degrees of injury. All affected individuals were promptly evacuated and treated at nearby medical facilities, with no life-threatening cases reported.

Emergency response protocols were immediately activated, with technical teams deployed to the scene, while the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau commenced a detailed investigation in line with established safety procedures.

To ensure continued safe movement, the affected rolling stock including the trailing locomotive, power car and a passenger coach was isolated from the train, allowing the remaining coaches to proceed.

Despite the disruption, the service departed the incident point at about 9:42 a.m., made a brief stop at Kubwa, and arrived at Idu Station at approximately 10:39 a.m., recording a delay of 38 minutes.

The NRC attributed the delay to the time required to safely isolate the affected components and secure the train for onward movement.

The corporation said normal operations were fully restored the same day, with subsequent services running without incident.

The return AK1 service departed Idu at 2:48 p.m. and arrived in Kaduna at 5:33 p.m., with the NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, onboard alongside senior officials to oversee the recovery process.

 

Later in the evening, another service (KA-4) departed Rigasa at 6:12 p.m., arriving Kubwa at 8:31 p.m. and Idu at 8:58 p.m., further confirming the restoration of normal operations.

 

Opeifa said the swift intervention by NRC personnel ensured that services resumed without prolonged disruption.

 

“Train services are back to normal, safer and better,” he said, adding that additional safety and operational measures had been introduced to prevent a recurrence.

 

The corporation urged the media and the public to rely on verified information and avoid inaccurate reports capable of causing unnecessary alarm.

 

Reaffirming its commitment to safety, the NRC said it would continue to strengthen monitoring, maintenance and operational systems across its network, urging passengers to remain confident in the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service.