The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has issued an apology to all passengers aboard the afternoon Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) following delays caused by a safety-related procedure. The delay occurred when the backup engine began to lose power shortly after the train departed.

The Corporation’s Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, dismissed as misleading a report claiming that passengers were stranded, stressing that safety considerations prompted the decision to return the train to Kaduna. He explained that once it became clear the backup engine was failing, the safest option was to turn back immediately.

“Although the train could have continued the journey, security concerns along the route—and the fact that they were less than 30 minutes into the trip—made it wiser to return to Rigasa Station in Kaduna,” Dr. Opeifa said.

The trip later resumed at 4:00 p.m., an hour after the interruption, and the train arrived at Idu Station at 18:52—about 80 minutes behind schedule. Throughout the delay, passengers were continuously updated through the Public Address Systems (PAS) on the train and at the Rigasa Station.

Dr. Opeifa compared the situation to an aircraft diverting to the nearest airport when one or both engines fail. He added that if the incident had occurred during a morning trip, the train would have continued and stopped at the nearest stations—Jere, Rijana, or Gidan—but this option was avoided because it was an evening journey.

He apologized for the inconvenience experienced by passengers and urged media organizations to verify information before publication to avoid misleading the public. The Managing Director reaffirmed that the NRC remains committed to the highest standards of safety and reliability across all its corridors, whether narrow or standard gauge, and emphasized the Corporation’s dedication to ensuring all passengers reach their destinations safely.