The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that passenger train services on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor will officially resume on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, after weeks of suspension.
In a statement signed by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the Corporation confirmed that all safety, technical, and operational checks have been successfully completed, paving the way for a safe restart of commercial operations.
The Abuja–Kaduna service was suspended following the August 26 derailment—the second at the same station in just over a year.
The incident, which occurred shortly after the train crossed a defective manually operated switch point, prompted investigations by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Findings revealed lapses in infrastructure and safety management.
According to the NRC, corrective measures have now been taken to prevent a recurrence.
“This step underscores the Corporation’s commitment to ensuring safe, reliable, and secure train services for the travelling public,” the statement read.
Passenger Welfare Update
The NRC also provided fresh updates on compensation and passenger welfare following the August 26 incident:
Out of 583 passengers onboard, 530 were successfully contacted, with 512 receiving full refunds.
All 22 injured passengers have been contacted and many personally visited by NRC medical teams. Each will enjoy one free ride per week until December 31, 2025.
All 618 passengers onboard during the accident will be entitled to one free trip before the end of 2025.
Resumption Schedule
The Corporation released a revised timetable for the Abuja–Kaduna route:
Abuja – Kaduna:
Idu: 8:45am
Kubwa: 9:05am
Rigasa: 12:42pm (Arrival)
Kaduna – Abuja:
Rigasa: 2:30pm
Kubwa: 6:02pm
Idu: 6:23pm (Arrival)
In addition, every Wednesday has now been designated for routine maintenance of the service.
Commitment to Safer Rail Transport
The NRC expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their patience and cooperation during the suspension, pledging to deliver safer and more efficient services going forward.
“The NRC deeply appreciates the patience and understanding of passengers during this difficult period. We remain fully committed to providing safe, affordable, and customer-friendly rail transportation that strengthens national connectivity and boosts economic growth,” the statement added.
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