The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed an incident on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) after one of the train’s coach wheels developed a hot axle on Wednesday evening, just a few kilometres from Rigasa Station in Kaduna.
According to a statement signed by NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the hot axle was triggered by abnormal temperature and excessive heat on the journal housing. The corporation, however, assured that the situation was quickly contained and the affected train was safely marshalled to Kaduna without casualties or further disruptions.
While the development led to temporary service capacity issues, especially for passengers booked in the business class coach, the NRC said it had already reached out to all affected passengers using the contact details provided during online booking. Alternative arrangements, the corporation added, have been put in place to cushion the impact of the disruption.
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Unyimadu further stated that operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route will return to normal before the afternoon service on Thursday, noting that safety remains the NRC’s top priority. “We assure all our customers and passengers of their safety on our train services as we are determined to continue to provide the best travel experience on all our train networks,” the statement read.
The NRC also tendered an unreserved apology to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the incident, stressing that continuous efforts are being made to ensure smooth and reliable rail services across the country.
The Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, one of Nigeria’s busiest passenger rail routes, has become a major transport lifeline for thousands of travelers daily. Wednesday’s incident underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining rail infrastructure but also highlights the corporation’s commitment to swift response and passenger safety.
