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BY ANTHONY OMOH
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced that the preliminary report of the train derailment investigation into the Abuja–Kaduna service accident will be released within 23 days.
Director-General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh Jnr, explained that the Bureau is legally mandated to release preliminary reports of accidents within 30 days.
He stressed that the timeline ensures the public receives verified information quickly while the train derailment investigation continues.
“This entails that we are able to gather all the actual evidence related to the occurrence, at least those that will give us a way forward,” Badeh Jnr said. “So, within 30 days, we should provide you with a preliminary report.”
Funding Constraints Threaten Safety
The NSIB boss used the press briefing to highlight funding shortfalls, warning that lack of resources could undermine investigations. He noted that although the NSIB Act mandates financial support, agencies such as NIMASA have yet to remit required funds.
“It’s never enough,” Badeh Jnr said. “We must train investigators, not just in aviation, but also in rail, maritime, and other sectors. As you’ve seen with this accident, it almost seems like we’re waiting for accidents to happen. What we need is proactive prevention, and that requires more funding.”
He added that essential equipment for technical analysis and extensive training for investigators remain top priorities.
The Abuja–Kaduna Train Derailment
The incident involved a Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) passenger train with eight coaches and two locomotives. The train departed Idu Station, Abuja, at 09:45 hours and stopped briefly at Kubwa Station before derailing at Asham Station.
According to the NSIB, five coaches derailed shortly after passing a track switch. The forward locomotive and two coaches overturned, while the rear locomotive and the last coach remained on track.
A total of 583 people were on board. Twelve passengers sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate, but there were no fatalities. Badeh Jnr described this outcome as “a testament to safety protocols that worked as designed.”
Independent Train Derailment Investigation
The NSIB is conducting an independent train derailment investigation under the Railways (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulation 2024. The Bureau emphasised that the process is not about assigning blame but identifying root causes and contributing factors.
“This process focuses on gathering and analysing information, determining causes and contributing factors, and issuing safety recommendations,” Badeh Jnr explained.
He stressed that the identification of causes does not imply fault, liability, or criminal responsibility. Instead, the focus of the train derailment investigation is on preventing future occurrences.
Securing Evidence and Data
Immediately after notification from the NRC, the NSIB appointed an Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) with full authority over the accident site. Evidence preservation was prioritised, including protection of locomotives, rolling stock, and on-board systems.
Critical data such as speed recordings, on-board CCTV, vigilance control systems, and over-speed trip mechanisms are being secured for analysis. The NSIB also implemented access restrictions at the site, coordinating with security agencies to prevent tampering.
The Bureau’s work includes:
*Detailed inspection of track geometry, switches, and infrastructure.
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