NRC apologises over Kaduna-Abuja train breakdown

29 Jun NRC apologises over Kaduna-Abuja train breakdown

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has apologized to passengers who were stranded on Monday morning when the train from Kaduna breakdown at the Duste section.

The train which took off from Rigasa station heading to Abuja broke down on two occasions before finally stopping at Duste and the passengers had to wait for some time before a relief engine came to their rescue.

The Managing Director of NRC, Fidet Okhiria confirmed the incident said the train broke down due to engine failure.

The Manager of Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, Pascal Nnorli apologized to all passengers on board KA2 train that left Rigasa this morning and failed at Dutse section. The failure which was as a result of Mechanical malfunction is highly regretted.”

Nnorli explained that “this failure and consequent delay no doubt caused delays to subsequent train services from Abuja to Kaduna” adding that “the failed Locomotive is currently receiving attention from our team of Engineers and Technician at the Idu Locomotive workshop.”

For three hours, hundreds of passengers on the Kaduna- Abuja (KA 2) train were trapped at Dutse following a technical fault.

The train, which left Rigasa train station in Kaduna at 6:40am, developed a fault five minutes after takeoff.

After about 15 minutes, the trip was resumed, only for the train to break down again at Kakau substation.

The two-hour journey lasted for about six hours (6:40am to 12:15pm).

Security personnel on board the train took strategic positions to protect the passengers.  The fear of kidnapping has made many motorists to abandon the Abuja-Kaduna Road for train.