The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a temporary disruption in the Abuja–Kaduna train service and appealed to passengers for patience as efforts to restore full operations continue.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, addressed public concerns over the recent reduction in train frequency along the corridor. He said the corporation had reviewed an article by veteran journalist Muhammad Iskeel Abdullahi and acknowledged the issues raised as both “genuine and patriotic.”
Opeifa described the Abuja–Kaduna route as a flagship component of Nigeria’s railway modernisation project, noting that any disruption—no matter how minor—has a significant impact on the public.
According to him, the current reduction in service is linked to damage sustained by the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) rolling stock during an incident on August 26. He expressed regret over the inconvenience passengers have faced.
He clarified that the disruption is not due to neglect, but to two major setbacks: the March 2022 terrorist attack on the corridor, which led to an extensive review of safety measures, and a recent derailment that damaged several coaches, reducing available operational stock.
“Repairs and refurbishment are ongoing, and arrangements are being finalised for the deployment of additional coaches to restore normal service frequency,” he said.
Opeifa assured commuters that the challenges are temporary and part of a broader recovery process. He added that the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, continues to support nationwide rail infrastructure improvements, with the Minister of Transport working closely with the NRC to fast-track full restoration of services.
