Abuja–Kaduna Train Service Faces Temporary Disruption.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has announced a temporary interruption to the Abuja–Kaduna rail service and urged passengers to remain patient.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, made this appeal in a statement released on Tuesday, following public concerns about the reduced frequency of train operations on the route.

Opeifa explained that the NRC had reviewed a recent article by veteran journalist Muhammad Iskeel Abdullahi, published on the Journalists for Development platform, and appreciated the concerns raised as sincere and patriotic.

The Managing Director described the Abuja–Kaduna route as a flagship service under Nigeria’s railway modernisation programme, noting that even minor disruptions are strongly felt by the public.

The NRC recognised the discomfort experienced by commuters and attributed the reduced train services to damage sustained by its Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) rolling stock during an incident on August 26. It expressed regret over the inconvenience caused.

According to Opeifa, the reduction in service was not caused by neglect but by two major setbacks: the March 2022 terrorist attack on the rail line, which resulted in a comprehensive overhaul of safety procedures and strengthened collaboration with security agencies, and a recent derailment that damaged several coaches and reduced the number of operational rolling stock.

“The repairs and refurbishment are ongoing, while arrangements are being made to deploy additional coaches to restore normal service frequency.

“We assure passengers that the current challenges represent a phase of recovery and rebuilding rather than a decline in commitment.

“The Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to support efforts to strengthen rail infrastructure nationwide, with the Minister of Transport working closely with the Corporation to accelerate full restoration,” Opeifa said.