The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has identified poor maintenance practices and a faulty track switch as the main causes of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment at Asham Station on August 26, 2025.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to the bureau’s preliminary report, damaged sleepers at the station—previously affected by another incident—were “patched instead of being properly repaired.” Investigators also found that the automatic switch mechanism at the crossing point was unserviceable, forcing personnel to operate it manually. The point clip used to secure the switch was later discovered to be broken, compromising track alignment and triggering the derailment.
The incident, which was the second derailment at Asham Station in just over a year, left 21 passengers injured but caused no fatalities among the 618 people on board.
The NSIB also raised concerns about training and equipment gaps at the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). The report stated that NRC staff had “received only initial training with no formal refresher courses,” while critical maintenance tools and spare parts from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) were “largely inaccessible” at the time of the crash.
In response, the bureau issued safety recommendations, including:
• Replacement of all compromised sleepers.
• Installation of OEM-standard point switches along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor.
• Restoration of defective monitoring and communication equipment, including CCTV cameras, clocks, and safety instruments.
• Regular refresher training for NRC personnel to improve preparedness.
The bureau stressed that the findings are preliminary. “Further analysis is ongoing,” it said, noting that upcoming steps include technical inspections of the turnout and switch mechanism, examination of track alignment, and detailed checks of the derailed locomotives and coaches.
Investigators also plan to analyze crew statements, speed logs, signal records, and communication transcripts, alongside passenger and eyewitness accounts. Special attention will be given to the broken point clip, which is believed to have played a critical role in the accident.
A final report, with comprehensive conclusions and additional recommendations, will be released after the investigation is completed.
