THE Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has announced that it will release the preliminary report into the August 26 derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna train within the next 23 days.
News Point Nigeria reports that the accident, which occurred at Asham Station along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, left several passengers injured, caused damage to rail infrastructure, and led to an indefinite suspension of train services on one of the nation’s busiest rail routes.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr, said the Bureau has already commenced a comprehensive technical investigation to determine the causes and contributing factors of the derailment.
Badeh disclosed that an Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) has been appointed to oversee the probe. The IIC, he explained, has “full access and control over the accident site, evidence, and relevant records, including the protection and custody of rolling stock, locomotives, contents, and other evidence to prevent disturbance or tampering.”
The Bureau has implemented evidence protection measures, including securing the site, restricting access, and working closely with railway security personnel, the police, and other relevant agencies.
Among the data to be examined are: train vigilance control systems, speedometers, on-board CCTV camera recordings and over-speed trip mechanisms.
“These recorded data will be preserved and thoroughly analysed to provide a clear picture of what led to the derailment,” Badeh said.
The NSIB revealed that the investigation will cover: technical inspection of locomotives, coaches, and rolling stock, examination of the accident site, switch, track geometry, and infrastructure, review of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) records, interviews with crew members, NRC staff, first responders, passengers, and eyewitnesses and collection of organisational and operational data from the NRC.
Badeh also confirmed that international experts may be invited if the investigation identifies global dimensions, noting that the NSIB will forward notifications to relevant states and accredited representatives.
On the timeline, the NSIB boss assured that within 23 days, the Bureau would publish a preliminary report containing factual evidence gathered so far.
“The report will not be the final one, but it will provide direction on the course of the investigation and highlight factual findings that can inform immediate safety recommendations,” he explained.
Badeh, however, raised concerns about inadequate funding, stressing that thorough investigations into accident especially beyond the aviation sector require significant resources.
“Some funding has been made available, but it’s not enough. At the NSIB, we are trying to prevent accidents, but funding is a big part of that,” he said.
The DG noted that with the expansion of rail and maritime services in Nigeria, the Bureau urgently needs modern equipment and extensive training for investigators.
“Yes, we have some training, but more extensive training is needed especially with the expansion of rail services in Nigeria. We require funding to procure equipment and boost capacity for multi-sector accident investigations,” Badeh emphasized.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line, inaugurated in 2016, has been a vital link between the Federal Capital Territory and the North-West, but it has also faced multiple challenges, including past security attacks and derailments.