The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has apologised to passengers on the afternoon Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) following a delay caused by a procedural safety measure after the backup engine began losing power shortly after departure.
In a statement, NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, dismissed reports suggesting that passengers were stranded, describing them as misleading. He emphasized that the Corporation prioritizes safety above all else, which informed the decision to return the train to Rigasa, Kaduna.
“Though the train could have continued, for security reasons along the route and considering it was less than 30 minutes into the journey, it was advisable to pull back to Rigasa, Kaduna for safety reasons,” Dr. Opeifa explained.
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The train resumed its journey at 4:00 pm, an hour after the delay, and arrived at Idu at 6:52 pm—80 minutes behind schedule. Passengers were kept updated throughout via the Public Address System on the train and at Rigasa Station.
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Dr. Opeifa likened the situation to an aircraft diverting to the nearest airport after engine trouble. He noted that if the trip had been in the morning, the train could have continued to the nearest stations Jere, Rijana, or Gidan, but opted against it because it was an evening service.
Apologising for the inconvenience, the NRC Managing Director also urged media outlets to verify reports before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.
He reassured passengers and stakeholders that the NRC remains committed to upholding the highest safety and reliability standards across all rail corridors, whether narrow or standard gauge, and reiterated the corporation’s dedication to safely transporting all passengers to their destinations.
