The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced investigation into the train derailment which occurred at Jere station on its way to Abuja on May 26th.
The bureau said the train departed Rigasa station, Kaduna at 8.00a.m to Idu station, Abuja, with 685 onboard and at approximately 9:28a.m, it approached Jere station. But while navigating a switch point north of Jere, the baggage van and one passenger coach derailed. The derailed coaches were dragged approximately 86 feet from the switch point before coming to a stop.
The bureau also revealed that crew members onboard included two drivers, two train guards, three traveling ticket collectors, 20 police escorts and four bomb disposal unit members. The train consisted of 10 coaches, one baggage van and two locomotives.
The NSIB stated that there were no injuries to passengers or crew members as all passengers safely disembarked and were transported with the rear locomotive and the remaining eight coaches to Abuja, arriving at 12:32p.m. The front locomotive, the derailed coach and another unaffected coach remained at the site of the incident.
Director General of the NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh, said: “Preliminary fact-finding undertaken by our investigators revealed that the train was traveling at a speed of 90 km/h in the section leading up to Jere Station and reduced to 23 km/h on approaching the station.
However, immediately after the northern change point at Jere, the BVA and a coach of the train derailed.
“The NSIB’s investigation seeks to determine the circumstances that led to the derailment. The investigation will examine factors such as the train’s speed, track conditions, mechanical components, and operational procedures. As part of the investigation, the NSIB will collaborate with stakeholders, including the NRC, to analyse on-train monitoring recorder data.
“The safety of passengers and crew is paramount. We commit to ensuring all necessary measures to prevent future reoccurrence. Our priority is determining the derailment’s root cause and making safety recommendations to enhance railway safety and prevent reoccurrence.”
