The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) directed all Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) personnel to undergo mandatory four-day safety training starting September 22, 2025, as a precursor to resuming operations on the route, following an in-house probe into the August 26 derailment that underscored lapses in operational protocols.

NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa announced the directive during a briefing yesterday in Lagos, where he unveiled key findings from the investigation, reviewed recovery efforts, and outlined resumption timelines.

Accompanied by directors from civil engineering, corporate planning, and mechanical departments, Opeifa implored staff to adhere strictly to caution orders, emphasizing vigilance to avert repeats of the incident that halted services and stranded thousands. The derailment, occurring near Rishigi village, involved a freight train's axle failure from metal fatigue, per preliminary reports, injuring no passengers but exposing maintenance gaps.

Opeifa reaffirmed a 95% salary hike implementation by year-end, while cautioning locomotive drivers against strike notices that disrupt national service. 

The training, hosted at the Manpower Development Institute, will cover emergency response, track inspections, and compliance, aiming to restore confidence in the route serving 5,000 daily commuters since 2016.