Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa, has apologised to Nigerians following Tuesday’s derailment of an Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, pledging that his administration will prioritise safety reforms to prevent future incidents.

Appearing on Channels Television’s breakfast programme on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Opeifa admitted that the incident, which saw several coaches derail and the locomotive capsize, was “a very serious one,” stressing that as chief executive, he must take full responsibility.

“Let me say beyond apologising to Nigerians, I want to say as the Managing Director and Chief Executive, I take full responsibility,” he said. “In the case of safety, there’s no indifference. Once it happens, the Chief Executive must take responsibility, and in this case, I take full responsibility.”

The NRC boss assured that steps are being taken to ensure such accidents do not recur, citing the recent shutdown of the Warri-Itakpe line for major safety works as an example of the corporation’s renewed emphasis on preventive measures.

“What we also observed is that this happened near a point, a point is where trains can change their direction of movement,” Opeifa explained. “However, I assure Nigerians that incidences like this, while unfortunate, are meant to bring out the best in us as we fix and strengthen the system.”

The train, which departed Abuja around 11:00 a.m. Tuesday en route to Kaduna, derailed at KM 49 between Kubwa and Asham stations. Passengers described scenes of panic as coaches left the tracks, though no casualties had been officially confirmed as of press time.

In a statement signed by Opeifa, the NRC said emergency rescue teams, medical personnel and security agencies were immediately deployed to the site, and all passengers were safely evacuated back to Abuja.

Despite the disruption, Opeifa assured that the corporation remains committed to passenger safety and efficient service delivery. “This is not prayed for,” he said, “but when it happens, we must respond with responsibility, accountability and action.”