Coupling failure blamed for Kaduna–Abuja train collision as NRC releases interim findings
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has attributed the recent incident on the Kaduna–Abuja rail corridor to a suspected mechanical fault involving the train’s coupling system.
In an interim report signed by its Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, the corporation disclosed that 26 passengers and onboard staff sustained varying degrees of injuries during the occurrence.
Timeline of the incident
According to the report, the Kaduna–Abuja service, identified as KA-2, departed Rigasa Station at 7:15 a.m. and arrived at Jere Station slightly ahead of schedule at 8:52 a.m.
The train later left Jere at 8:59 a.m., about six minutes behind schedule, after an additional locomotive (2809) was attached to improve operational efficiency.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:16 a.m. as the train approached Asham Station, between kilometre points 50 and 51.
What went wrong
The NRC reported that a loud impact was heard when the power car and the attached locomotive struck one of the passenger coaches.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the collision may have been caused by a fault in the coupling mechanism linking the locomotive to the coaches, leading to a possible separation before impact.
Despite the incident, the corporation confirmed that none of the coaches derailed.
Aftermath and continuation of journey
Following the disruption, affected components — including locomotive 2809, power car BVA0002, and passenger coach SP0006 — were detached from the train.
The service resumed movement at 9:42 a.m., later arriving at Kubwa at 10:10 a.m., before terminating at Idu Station at 10:39 a.m.
The total delay recorded for the journey was 38 minutes.
The NRC stated that further investigations are ongoing, with a view to preventing similar incidents and enhancing safety across the rail network.
See a clip of the aftermath of the collision here.
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