The federal government has maintained that last week’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment was not caused by sabotage, assuring Nigerians that the country’s rail services remain safe.
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, alongside the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, addressed journalists in Abuja where they also issued an unreserved apology to the Nigeria Union of Journalists following complaints of abusive treatment against Comrade Ladi Bala, the immediate past national chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, during coverage of the incident at the accident site.
Minister Alkali stressed that the derailment was not the result of any malicious act, noting that the “point machine” along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor had since been fully repaired and that there had been no further incidents since the repair. He said investigations were ongoing and called for patience until the committee set up to probe the matter submits its report.
The minister further highlighted the persistent problem of vandalism of rail infrastructure, revealing that some arrests had been made and suspects were already facing prosecution. He urged the judiciary to support the government’s efforts in curbing vandalism through stricter deterrent measures.
On recovery efforts, he confirmed that four of the ten derailed coaches had been retrieved with the help of specialised cranes. He added that the federal government was working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser to strengthen rail protection measures.
In addition, the minister disclosed that procurement processes were underway to facilitate expansion of services on the Warri-Ajaokuta-Itakpe-Abuja corridor. He reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy to the Abuja-Kaduna service, enhancing security, and reinforcing rail infrastructure nationwide.
