Minister Rules Out Sabotage in Abuja-Kaduna Train Derailment

Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali has rejected sabotage claims regarding the recent Abuja-Kaduna train derailment, emphasizing the Federal Government’s dedication to ensuring safe and secure rail services across Nigeria. 

Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja with Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, Alkali stated that initial investigations point to an operational error as the cause, not intentional interference.

“We have fixed the point machine from here up to Kaduna, and since then, there has been no issue of derailment.

“Investigations are still ongoing, and we don’t want to preempt the committee until it submits its report.

“A point machine, also known as a switch motor, is a device that moves rail turnout blades, allowing trains to change tracks safely and efficiently,” he stated.

Alkali acknowledged that vandalism continued to pose a serious challenge to railway safety, in spite of ongoing arrests and prosecutions of those damaging rail infrastructure.

He confirmed that four out of ten derailed coaches had been recovered using specialised railway cranes and equipment.

He also revealed that procurement was underway to extend the rail line from Warri to Ajaokuta and eventually to Abuja.

NAN