The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the temporary suspension of all train operations along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor following an incident that occurred earlier today, sparking concern among passengers and raising fresh questions about the safety of one of Nigeria’s busiest rail routes.
According to a statement released by the NRC, the decision to halt operations was taken “in the interest of the safety of passengers and crew members” while investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing. Though full details of the event have not yet been officially disclosed, eyewitnesses reported that the train encountered a sudden technical fault mid-journey, leaving commuters stranded for several hours before emergency response teams intervened.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line, commissioned in 2016, was designed as a safer alternative to the highway, which has long been plagued by armed robbery and banditry. However, the service has faced multiple disruptions over the years, most notably the March 2022 terrorist attack in which lives were lost, passengers were kidnapped, and the railway infrastructure was severely damaged. Today’s disruption has reignited fears among travelers who depend heavily on the route for business, official assignments, and daily commuting between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.
In its statement, the NRC assured Nigerians that efforts are being made to restore operations swiftly, while promising to carry out a comprehensive safety audit to prevent future occurrences. “The Corporation deeply regrets the inconvenience caused by this suspension and wishes to assure our esteemed passengers that their safety remains our highest priority,” the statement read in part.
The sudden suspension has left many passengers stranded, with some forced to make alternative travel arrangements by road despite security concerns. Transport unions and civil society groups have called on the Federal Government to expedite rail modernization efforts, strengthen security architecture, and improve maintenance culture to ensure that the Abuja–Kaduna rail line—one of the flagship projects of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure—does not continue to suffer setbacks.
This latest disruption underscores the fragile state of Nigeria’s transportation system and highlights the urgent need for consistent investment, transparency, and accountability in the rail sector to restore public confidence.
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