The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has blamed a malfunctioned switch mechanism for the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment that occurred at Asham Station on Aug. 26.
The bureau disclosed this in its preliminary report released on Wednesday in Abuja.
The incident involved train number AK1, operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), with locomotive registration CDD5c2 2701. The train carried passengers, crew members, security personnel and service staff.
According to the NSIB, the Asham Station automatic crossing point switch was unserviceable and had to be manually operated. The point clip used to lock the switch was found broken.
“The train derailed shortly after passing the track switch point at Asham Station. The forward locomotive and seven adjoining coaches derailed. Twenty-one passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries, while no fatalities were recorded,” the report stated.
The bureau further revealed that this was the second derailment at Asham within 13 months, with some previously damaged sleepers only patched instead of replaced. It also noted gaps in NRC operations, including lack of refresher training for staff, inadequate access to spare parts, and defective monitoring equipment such as CCTV cameras and clocks.
To prevent future derailments, the NSIB recommended that NRC:
Replace all damaged sleepers and point switches with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts;
Address cautionary advisories to train drivers;
Provide regular refresher training for staff; and
Restore defective communication and monitoring systems to OEM standards.
It added that further investigations ahead of its final report would include analysis of track alignment, inspection of derailed coaches, crew statements, and eyewitness accounts.
“The final report will present detailed conclusions and additional recommendations to enhance rail safety in Nigeria,” the bureau said.
